UK sanctions 15 commanders from rival Sudan factions over wartime rape

On October 26, 2026, Britain sanctioned 15 commanders and militia leaders from the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, and allied groups over allegations of wartime sexual violence, torture, and civilian attacks linked to the fall of al-Fashir. The measures follow UK-funded research by the Centre for Information Resilience documenting systematic starvation and violence. Britain also pledged £15 million ($20 million) in humanitarian and survivor support for Sudan.

UK sanctions Sudanese commanders over atrocities

• ▪The United Kingdom government sanctioned 15 military commanders, militia leaders, and security officials from both sides of Sudan's conflict over accusations of sexual violence, torture, and attacks on civilians
• ▪The United Kingdom government stated that its October 26, 2026 sanctions were intended to hold perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable in Sudan's ongoing conflict
• ▪The United Kingdom's October 26, 2026 sanctions target commanders from the Rapid Support Forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces, and leaders of armed groups allied to the army

CIR research documents conflict-related abuses

• ▪UK-funded research published by the Centre for Information Resilience documented widespread conflict-related sexual violence and systematic starvation of civilians committed by both sides during the Sudanese conflict linked to the fall of al-Fashir
• ▪The United Kingdom's October 26, 2026 sanctions were implemented following findings from research conducted by the Centre for Information Resilience into atrocities in Sudan

Siege and fall of al-fashir

• ▪During the siege of al-Fashir, civilians were subjected to reported mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and a prolonged siege
• ▪The UK's October 26, 2026 sanctions on 15 Sudanese military commanders were imposed one year after the fall of al-Fashir, the North Darfur capital that became a focal point of Sudan's war
• ▪The United Kingdom government stated that the acts of torture and civilian attacks by sanctioned leaders were directly linked to Sudan's conflict surrounding the fall of al-Fashir