EU sanctions RSF’s second-in-command for atrocities in Sudan. And calls for halt to arms deliveries

Brussels – The European Union strikes a blow on the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the “serious and continuous atrocities perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)”: the foreign ministers of the 27 adopted today restrictive measures against Abdelrahim Hamdan Dagalo, second-in-command of the army opposing the capital Khartoum. No cuts, however, with the United Arab Emirates, which fuels the slaughter by supplying arms—including those Abu Dhabi buys from the EU—to the RSF and other rebel militias. “We urge all external actors to take the necessary steps to end the sale or supply of arms and related material to all parties,” is the appeal of Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs. 

After the horrific conquest of El Fasher by the RSF in late October, the spotlight on the civil war in Sudan was turned back on. Eighteen months of siege on the capital city of North Darfur, marked by deliberate attacks on civilians, ethnically motivated killings, summary executions, and systematic sexual and gender-based violence, have awakened the consciences of the international community. In the conflict, which erupted two and a half years ago, 50,000 people have been killed, and over 14 million civilians have been displaced.

The EU said it was “ready to impose further restrictive measures on all actors responsible for destabilising Sudan and obstructing its political transition.” In January 2024, the EU had already prepared sanctions against six entities responsible for the production and procurement of weapons for the parties to the conflict. 

In a note on behalf of the 27 Member States, Kallas announced that Brussels would “intensify support for documentation and investigations,” carried out in particular by the International Criminal Court and the UN independent international fact-finding mission, “into crimes committed by the RSF, the SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces) and their associates.” 

A few days ago, the Sudanese ambassador to the EU warned of the risk of European-made weapons ending up on the battlefields and fuelling the atrocities of the civil war. According to various reports, the UAE is allegedly foraging the RSF with weapons also sold to Abu Dhabi by European countries. On the sidelines of the meeting, Kallas confirmed that “all ministers who spoke today referred to those who support the warring parties.” The 27 had agreed “to take diplomatic action against those countries.” 

In the note, the head of European diplomacy added: “We urge all external actors to take the necessary steps to end the sale or supply of arms and related material to all parties, in accordance with the arms embargo established by UN Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591.”