Headlines
UK sanctions RSF commanders over links to mass killings in Sudan
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 12, 2025
Last updated: January 7, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 12, 2025
Last updated: January 7, 2026
LONDON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Britain sanctioned senior commanders of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on Friday, over what it said were their links to mass killings, systematic sexual violence and deliberate attacks on civilians in the African country.
Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF Deputy Leader and brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, as well as three other commanders that are suspected of involvement in these crimes, now face asset freezes and travel bans, the British government said.
"The atrocities taking place in Sudan are so horrific they scar the conscience of the world," foreign minister Yvette Cooper said in the statement. "Today’s sanctions against RSF commanders strike directly at those with blood on their hands."
The government also pledged a further 21 million pounds to provide food, shelter, health services, and protection for women and children in some of the hardest-to-reach areas, the statement said.
The move comes after the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia earlier in November proposed a plan for a three-month truce followed by peace talks. The RSF responded by saying it had accepted the plan, but soon after attacked army territory with a barrage of drone strikes.
Millions of people have been displaced by the war, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; writing by Muvija M; Editing by Catarina Demony)
A sanction is a penalty or restriction imposed by one country on another, often to influence behavior or policies. In finance, it can involve asset freezes or trade bans against individuals or entities.
Mass killings refer to the intentional killing of a large number of people, often in a short period. This term is frequently associated with acts of genocide or war crimes.
Systematic sexual violence is a form of violence that is organized and perpetrated as part of a broader strategy, often in conflict situations, targeting specific groups to instill fear or exert control.
A travel ban is a restriction that prevents individuals from entering or leaving a specific country. It is often used as a punitive measure against individuals involved in criminal activities or human rights violations.
An asset freeze is a legal measure that prevents individuals or entities from accessing or transferring their financial assets. It is commonly used in sanctions to restrict the financial activities of targeted parties.
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