UN Security Council Sanctions Four Senior Leaders of Sudan's RSF

The United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee concerning Sudan has officially added four senior leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to its sanctions list, following a joint proposal submitted by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

The proposal, originally submitted on February 17, sought to integrate these four commanders into the sanctions regime established under Resolution 1591. These measures principally entail travel bans and asset freezes, intended to curb the ongoing violence plaguing Sudan.

Among those newly sanctioned is Abdel Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the Deputy Commander of the RSF and brother of its leader, Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo. The sanctions also target Jeddo Hamdan Ahmed, the RSF commander in North Darfur, and Al-Fatah Abdullah Idris, widely known as Abu Lulu. Additionally, field commander Tijani Ibrahim Musa Mohamed, known as Al-Zir Salem, was included on the list.

This action represents a significant escalation of international pressure on the RSF leadership, as the conflict in Sudan nears its third anniversary, having caused massive displacement and pushed parts of the nation toward famine.

Prior to this, the European Union, the UK, and the US had individually imposed sanctions on Jeddo Hamdan, Al-Fatah Abdullah, and Tijani Ibrahim for their documented roles in human rights abuses and crimes committed in the city of El Fasher, North Darfur.

The sanctions regime, established by the Security Council in 2005 (Resolution 1591), prohibits the supply of arms to entities in Darfur. The Committee overseeing its implementation requires all member states to freeze the funds, financial assets, and economic resources controlled by the listed individuals and entities, in addition to enforcing the travel restrictions.

These latest additions follow previous actions; on November 8, 2024, the Committee had already sanctioned Othman Mohamed Hamid, the RSF Chief of Operations, and Abd Al-Rahman Juma Barkala, the commander of forces in West Darfur.