EU Sanctions Sudan RSF Commander Over Darfur Atrocities

The European Union announced sanctions on Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo on Thursday, citing "grave and ongoing atrocities" carried out by forces under his command during the more-than-two-year conflict with Sudan's regular army, including the recent seizure of el-Fasher in western Darfur.

The measures, adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council, target Dagalo as part of a broader effort that previously sanctioned the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a group. The United States imposed its own sanctions on Dagalo in September 2023.

Dagalo is the RSF's second-ranking commander and the brother of the group's leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti. The council said troops under Abdel-Rahim Dagalo were responsible for violations during last month's capture of el-Fasher, a key city in Darfur.

"The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the grave and ongoing atrocities perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, including following the seizure of the city of el-Fasher," the council said.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the sanctions send a clear signal that the international community will hold those responsible to account and warned that the fall of el-Fasher "opened another devastating chapter in this war." Anouar el-Anouni, a spokesperson for the European Commission, described the steps as part of a "gradual and escalating" sequence of measures aimed at both sides of the conflict.

The RSF had besieged el-Fasher for more than 18 months before seizing the city, an offensive that rights groups say killed hundreds and forced tens of thousands to flee to already overcrowded camps across Darfur. The World Health Organization estimates at least 40,000 people have died and some 12 million have been displaced since the fighting began in 2023, though humanitarian organizations warn the true toll may be higher.

The EU said deliberate targeting of civilians, ethnically motivated killings, systematic sexual- and gender-based violence, using starvation as a weapon and denying humanitarian access amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The RSF did not immediately comment on the new sanctions on its Telegram channel but said it welcomed international efforts toward a ceasefire while accusing the army of obstructing peace. Earlier this month the RSF accepted a U.S.-led mediation proposal for a humanitarian truce; the military has said it will only agree to a ceasefire if the RSF withdraws from populated areas and disarms.

Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump said he intends to press for an end to the conflict in Sudan after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.