UN Security Council Imposes Sanctions on Sudanese RSF Generals Amid Escalating Crisis

Saturday 09 November 2024 - 08:35

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has taken a decisive step by sanctioning two high-ranking generals from Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), citing their role in destabilizing the nation through violence and widespread human rights abuses.

This marks the first instance of UN-imposed sanctions in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted on April 15, 2023, stemming from a power struggle between the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), commanded by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Following a proposal by the United States in late August, the UNSC's Sudan sanctions committee has approved a travel ban and asset freeze on Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, RSF’s head of operations, and Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla, the commander in West Darfur. According to diplomats, Russia delayed the decision, requesting additional time to review the proposal before the committee reached a consensus on Friday.

This development follows US Treasury Department sanctions in May against Hamid Mohamed and Ali Yagoub Gibril, RSF's Central Darfur commander. Recently, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned RSF-led attacks on civilians, while the United Kingdom called for a UNSC resolution to address the conflict.

Widespread Displacement and Hunger Crisis

Since the outbreak of violence, over 10 million people have been displaced, with 2.4 million forced to seek refuge abroad, fueling a severe humanitarian crisis. Approximately 25 million Sudanese, nearly half the population, are in dire need of aid, as displacement camps face mounting famine.

The conflict has claimed over 20,000 lives, while a failing health system, surging cholera cases, and widespread food insecurity have prompted multiple UN agencies to warn of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe.

The UNSC established its Sudan sanctions regime in 2005 to address the Darfur conflict, previously listing only three individuals and imposing an arms embargo in 2004. The recent sanctions echo the tragic legacy of Darfur’s early 2000s conflict, in which government-aligned "Janjaweed" militias, the RSF’s precursor, suppressed a rebellion, leading to an estimated 300,000 deaths. Several former Sudanese leaders face charges by the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur.