The European Union has frozen the assets and banned travel for Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, deputy leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The move targets his role in deadly attacks during the capture of el-Fasher last month.
Why the Sanctions?
EU officials accuse Dagalo of directing RSF forces that:
- Killed hundreds of civilians
- Used sexual violence as a weapon
- Blocked life-saving aid
- Targeted people based on ethnicity
The Foreign Affairs Council called these acts “war crimes and crimes against humanity”.
El-Fasher: A New Low in the War
After an 18-month siege, RSF troops overran el-Fasher in October. The takeover:
- Forced tens of thousands to flee to overcrowded camps
- Left the entire Darfur region under RSF control
- Opened what EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called “a devastating new chapter”
“This shows the world will go after those responsible,” Kallas told reporters on Thursday.
Part of a Bigger Crackdown
EU spokesperson Anouar el-Anouni said the sanctions are “step-by-step escalation” against commanders on both sides of the conflict.
Sudan’s War in Numbers
- Started: April 2023
- Deaths: At least 40,000 (UN estimate)
- Displaced: 12 million
- Aid groups say true death toll is much higher
U.S. and Trump Step In
The US sanctioned Dagalo in September 2023. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump promised to push for peace after talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A U.S.-led ceasefire attempt collapsed earlier this month.
What the RSF Says
The RSF has not commented on the new sanctions but says it welcomes peace talks and blames the Sudanese army for blocking progress.
Why It Matters
Sudan is on the brink of famine. Millions need urgent aid. The EU hopes these sanctions will force both sides to the negotiating table and let food and medicine reach civilians.
The Fall of a Leader: Sheikh Hasina’s Death Sentence and Bangladesh’s Fragile Dawn
