UN Security Council Imposes Sanctions on Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Commanders
In a significant move, the UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on two commanders of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in response to their alleged involvement in violence and human rights abuses that have destabilized the country. The sanctions, which include travel bans and asset freezes, target Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, the RSF operations commander, and Abdel Rahman Juma Barakallah, the RSF commander in West Darfur. This decision marks the first sanctions imposed by the UN during the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF, led by former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.
The sanctions were approved unanimously by the 15-member Security Council sanctions committee, although the process faced delays as Russia sought additional time to evaluate the proposal. The targeted sanctions regime for Sudan was originally established in 2005 to address the conflict in Darfur, and the current situation has led to widespread humanitarian crises, with the UN estimating that approximately 25 million people, or half of Sudan's population, now require aid due to escalating violence and famine.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan
The violence in Sudan has intensified, particularly in Al-Jazeera State, where the Sudanese Foreign Ministry accused the RSF of causing the deaths of 120 civilians within a two-day period. In a conflicting report, the RSF claimed that over 60 civilians were killed and hundreds injured due to an army airstrike on a center for displaced people in North Darfur. Additionally, recent reports indicate that at least 200 people were killed in Al-Jazeera State last month, with 135,000 people displaced due to ongoing armed violence.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that around 135,400 individuals have been displaced from various areas in Al-Jazeera State since October 20. The RSF has been accused of escalating attacks on civilians, particularly following the defection of one of its leaders to the army. Meanwhile, violence has also surged in North Darfur, where artillery shelling by the RSF resulted in additional casualties. The ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly in regions previously affected by decades of violence, raises serious concerns about the stability and safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.
