EU Condemns ``Gross Atrocities`` in Sudan, Sanctions Dagalo

Moatinoon - Brussels
The European Union today announced its condemnation "in the strongest terms" of the continuing atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, stressing that these actions may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. The announcement comes in a statement by Ms. Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, who emphasized that ensuring accountability is the core of the EUs approach to the Sudanese crisis.

In a concrete measure, the EU Foreign Affairs Council today adopted restrictive measures against Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, the second-in-command of the RSF, in response to these crimes. The EU affirmed its readiness to impose additional measures, when appropriate, on all parties responsible for destabilizing Sudan and obstructing its political transition.

The EU also announced it will intensify its support for the documentation and investigation of these violations to "break the persistent cycle of impunity," declaring its full support for the vital role played by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission. Ms. Kallas stressed that the primary responsibility for ending the conflict lies with the leadership of the RSF, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and their affiliated militias.

The European Unions actions align with previous, similar international efforts. The United States, through the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), had previously imposed sanctions on Abdelrahim Dagalo himself in September 2023. His assets were frozen and financial dealings with him were prohibited as part of Washingtons efforts to punish those responsible for gross human rights abuses in Sudan, underlining the aligned international will to prosecute perpetrators of atrocities.

The European Union renewed its call on all conflict parties to resume negotiations for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. It also urged all external actors to comply with UN Security Council Resolutions (1556 and 1591) and to cease the sale or supply of arms and related material to all parties, pledging to continue advocating for the expansion of the ICCs mandate and the arms embargo to cover all of Sudan.

The statement emphasized that the protection of civilians and humanitarian access are "not conditional on a ceasefire," calling for safe passage to be granted to moving civilians, especially those wishing to leave Al-Fashir, and for immediate, unconditional, and safe access for humanitarian aid, with the immediate release of hostages.