UK sanctions 15 Sudanese military and militia commanders over atrocities against civilians

LONDON, October 26, 2026 — The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced 15 new designations under the Sudan (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, targeting commanders and senior figures associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias. All 15 individuals are subject to asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualification sanctions.

The measures target individuals accused of responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law during military campaigns in Gezira State, El Fasher and the Zamzam displacement camp. Among those designated are Abu Zaid Talha Al-Misbah, commander of the Al-Baraa bin Malik Battalions, and SAF Major General Awad Al-Karim Ali Saeed, commander of the 1st Infantry Division in Gezira. British authorities allege that both played roles in systematic violence against civilians, including attacks motivated by ethnicity or religious beliefs. Other SAF-linked figures sanctioned include Major General Abdel Moneim Abdel Basset and Brigadier General Ahmed Barrir Haj Ahmed, who was identified in connection with the Wad Madani massacre.

Several RSF commanders were also designated for alleged atrocities in Darfur. Hussein Abo Jalak was sanctioned over his role in violence against civilians in El Fasher, while Lieutenant Colonel Abbas Khater Bakhit was accused of directing or participating in the torture of detainees during the RSF takeover of the city in October 2025. Khademallah Khashmin Herika, identified as a commander of the RSF's female element, was designated for allegedly promoting rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence in El Fasher and Garni. Commanders Abdelbagi Dahab Talbo and Mustafa Abdullah Ahmed Shenibat were separately implicated in abuses surrounding the RSF assault on Zamzam displacement camp in April 2025.

The sanctions also extend to individuals accused of facilitating ethnically motivated violence and forced displacement. Siddiq Ali Wad Al-Basha, commander of the Abdullah Jamaa Battalion, was designated over alleged attacks against the Kanabi community during the recapture of Wad Madani. Al-Nour Ahmed Adam and Ali Rizqallah, both former RSF commanders who subsequently defected to the SAF, were sanctioned for their alleged involvement in atrocities against civilians. Their inclusion underscores that the measures target alleged conduct rather than current military allegiance.

The designations require individuals and businesses subject to UK sanctions law to freeze any funds or economic resources belonging to the designated persons and prohibit making assets available to them without an applicable exemption or licence. Relevant holdings must be reported to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), with breaches potentially resulting in criminal penalties.