Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The Council of the European Union Member States today approved additional restrictive measures against four individuals, given the seriousness of the situation in Sudan, where ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues. According to a European statement issued by the office of the European External Action Service Coordinator in Brussels on the sidelines of the meetings of the EU foreign ministers, “On the part of the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Council imposed sanctions on Mohamed Ali Ahmed Sobir, a general responsible for military intelligence operations. He is responsible for the harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention of members of civil society, as well as cases of sexual violence and torture. The Council also listed Salah Abdallah Mohamed Salah, also known as “Salah Gosh”, the former National Security Advisor of the Republic of Sudan and the former director of the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service. Salah is behind many of the measures taken by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Intelligence Operations Department. On the part of the Rapid Support Forces, restrictive measures were imposed on Osman Mohamed Hamid, a brigadier general responsible for operations since the outbreak of the conflict and responsible for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed by the Rapid Support Forces. Finally, the Council also listed Tijani Karshom, the de facto governor of West Darfur State. Karshom has facilitated the recruitment of militias to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces, and is involved in planning, directing and committing serious human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law in West Darfur. The individuals designated today are subject to an assets freeze, and EU persons and entities are prohibited from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. In addition, they are subject to a travel ban to the EU.

The imposition of these restrictive measures underscores the EU’s steadfast support for peace and accountability in Sudan. The EU reiterates its steadfast support and solidarity with the Sudanese people and its commitment to work with regional and international partners to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the crisis and address the dire humanitarian situation,” the statement said.
The relevant measures have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The Council previously adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 on restrictive measures in view of activities undermining stability and the political transition in Sudan on 9 October 2023.
The Council adopted restrictive measures against six entities on 22 January 2024, and against six individuals on 24 June 2024.
With the additional sanctions adopted today, the EU’s restrictive measures apply to ten individuals and six entities.