EU Council amends three Sudan sanctions entries

LUXEMBOURG, October 9, 2026 — The European Union has updated sanctions listings for three Sudanese military and financial figures, revising their identifying information and grounds for designation over activities threatening Sudan's peace, stability and security.

The Council of the European Union adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2262, amending existing sanctions listings for Mirghani Idriss Suleiman, Mustafa Ibrahim Abdel Nabi Mohamed and Abu Aqla Mohamed Ahmed Kaikal following a review of restrictive measures targeting individuals and entities undermining Sudan's stability and political transition.

Suleiman, a lieutenant general in the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and director-general of the Defense Industries System, is identified as a key figure in Sudan's military-industrial sector. His updated listing reflects his role as assistant for military industries affairs within the SAF and his association with army commander Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The EU accuses Suleiman of supporting activities threatening Sudan's peace and security through the production and supply of military equipment.

Mohamed, identified as a financial director of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is linked to financial institutions and commercial interests that the EU says support the group's operations. His revised listing includes further information concerning his business activities, financial connections and property interests in Dubai, reinforcing the Council's assessment of his role in financing or facilitating activities that undermine Sudan's stability. Kaikal, commander of the Sudan Shield Forces, is accused of involvement in serious human rights violations and attacks against civilians. His updated designation reflects his militia's alignment with the SAF following his defection from the RSF in October 2024. The revised grounds also reference allegations of violence against civilians and threats directed at people attempting to flee conflict-affected areas, including El Obeid in North Kordofan. The amendments do not introduce additional sanctions targets or remove existing designations. All three individuals remain subject to EU asset freezes and prohibitions on making funds or economic resources available to them, alongside applicable travel restrictions.

The measures form part of the EU's sanctions framework established under Regulation (EU) 2023/2147 in response to actions undermining Sudan's stability and political transition amid the conflict between the SAF and RSF.

The regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Oct. 9 and entered into force on Oct. 10, 2026.