The UK has announced sanctions on businesses which support activity of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the military groups behind the conflict in Sudan .
The announcement comes a year after the outbreak of conflict in Sudan. The conflict has caused more than 8.6 million people to flee their homes, with over 6.6 million displaced within Sudan itself – the world’s worst displacement crisis. 25 million people in Sudan need assistance, and the country is on the verge of a catastrophic hunger crisis. The UN has formally warned of the risk of famine this year, with 18 million currently facing hunger.
The FCDO said the sanctions (including asset freeze on companies linked to the SAF and RSF) send a clear signal to the warring parties that they must end fighting and meaningfully engage in a peace process.
The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, commented:
This senseless and brutal war has devastated lives. A year on since the outbreak of fighting, we continue to see appalling atrocities against civilians, unacceptable restrictions on humanitarian access and an utter disregard for civilian life.
The businesses that support the warring parties must be held to account, alongside those responsible for human rights abuses. The world must not forget about Sudan. We urgently need to end the violence.
Last month, Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell visited Chad where he announced £89 million of funding to Sudan, including support to UNICEF which will provide emergency and life-saving food assistance.