U.N. mulls first Sudan sanctions over current war, targeting two RSF generals

 August 27, 2024 (UNITED NATIONS) – The United Nations Security Council is considering imposing sanctions on two generals from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for their roles in the ongoing conflict, marking the first such action related to the current war.

According to Reuters, the United States has formally proposed travel bans and asset freezes for RSF head of operations Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed and RSF West Darfur Commander Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla, diplomats said.

If no objections are raised by Friday afternoon within the 15-member Sudan sanctions committee, the designations will be confirmed.

The war in Sudan, which erupted in mid-April last year, has been marred by ethnically driven violence, with the RSF facing accusations of widespread human rights abuses. The RSF denies these allegations.

The conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, leaving nearly 25 million people in need of aid and displacing millions.

The proposed sanctions would be the first imposed by the U.N. in relation to the current conflict, although the Security Council has previously sanctioned individuals over the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s.