Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

The Council of the European Union adopted sanctions today, Thursday, against seven individuals due to the continuing grave situation in Sudan, the dangerous escalation of violence causing heavy loss of life in Darfur and across the country, and violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. A European statement issued in Brussels said that for nearly three years, the conflict in Sudan has caused thousands of deaths and immense suffering for the Sudanese people, and poses a serious threat to the stability and security of the entire region. The responsibility for this war remains with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), as well as their affiliated militias.

Among those sanctioned today are five members of the RSF and two members of the SAF. These include Major Algoni Hamdan Dagalo Musa, the brother of the RSF commander, as well as other brigadier generals, commanders, and members of these forces. The restrictive measures also target supporters of the SAF, including Misbah Abu Zeid Talha, commander of the Baraa Bin Malik Brigade (BBMB), an Islamist militia. These individuals are linked to entities that threaten peace, stability, and security in Sudan.

The adoption of this sanctions package directly reflects the EU’s fourth demand of the parties to the conflict, as outlined in the Council Conclusions on Sudan of October 2015: the need to restore and strengthen the rule of law, accountability, and respect for international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, and to achieve justice in Sudan. By imposing targeted restrictive measures, the EU is promoting accountability for serious violations and signaling that impunity for such acts is unacceptable.

With these additions, the sanctions regime on Sudan now includes 18 individuals and eight entities. The listed individuals are subject to an asset freeze, and it is prohibited to provide them, directly or indirectly, with any funds or economic resources. Furthermore, the listed individuals are subject to a travel ban to the EU. The European Union continues its active engagement, including at the highest levels, in efforts to find a sustainable solution to the conflict and will continue to use all available foreign policy tools, and intensify their use where possible, including targeted sanctions where appropriate, to achieve a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

The relevant legislation has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

In October 2023, the Council adopted a specific framework of restrictive measures in light of activities that undermine the stability of Sudan and its political transition. Subsequent sanctions were imposed on individuals and entities affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in January, June, and December 2024, and in July and November 2025. On 11 April 2025, the High Representative of the European Union issued a statement on behalf of the EU, reiterating the Union’s strong appeal to the warring parties for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. In that statement, the European Union affirmed that, in close coordination with the international community, it would utilize its diplomatic tools and mechanisms, including restrictive measures, to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict and a comprehensive and lasting Sudanese political process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

In October 2025, the Council adopted conclusions on Sudan, strongly condemning the ongoing conflict and calling on all parties to intensify their efforts towards an immediate ceasefire, ensure unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of civilians, and commit to facilitating representative and independent civilian governance.

On November 20, 2025, the High Representative issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms the grave and ongoing atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, including in the context of the capture of El Fasher, and called for an immediate end to these atrocities. In a briefing to the UN Security Council on January 19, 2026, the Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Khan, stated the Court’s conclusions that war crimes and crimes against humanity had been committed in El Fasher, particularly in late October, following a prolonged siege of the city by the Rapid Support Forces.