The European Union has imposed sanctions on Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the deputy leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, citing “grave and ongoing atrocities” committed by his fighters during the two-year war with the Sudanese army.
The measures, announced on Thursday, target Dagalo for abuses carried out by RSF forces, including during last month’s capture of el-Fasher, the military’s final stronghold in Darfur. The United States sanctioned Dagalo in 2023.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the decision signalled that those responsible for violations would be pursued, according to reporting from the Associated Press. The RSF, led by Dagalo’s brother Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has not yet commented.
The RSF seized el-Fasher after an 18-month siege, leaving hundreds dead and forcing tens of thousands to flee. The wider conflict, which began in 2023 between the former ruling partners, has killed at least 40,000 people and displaced 12 million, according to the World Health Organization.
The EU said the RSF’s actions, including attacks on civilians, ethnic killings, sexual violence, starvation tactics and blocking aid, amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The RSF said on Friday it welcomed international efforts for a ceasefire but accused the army of obstructing peace. Earlier this month it accepted a US-backed humanitarian truce, which the military has rejected unless the RSF withdraws from civilian areas and disarms.
[Image: https://theowp.org/r-s-f-seizes-one-of-sudans-armys-headquarters-in-el-fasher/]