The Council of the European Union recently adopted economic sanctions against six entities involved in the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These entities have had their EU-based assets frozen due to their involvement in contributing to the instability and disruption of the political transition in Sudan.
These entities, located in Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been accused by the Council of suppling military equipment and financing to the armed groups participating in the conflict. This support has allegedly resulted in the continuation of the conflict and exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
The sanctions implemented come under the framework of Council Regulation (EU) 2023/2147. This regulation allows for the “freezing of economic resources” and “freezing of funds” against those contributing to the instability of Sudan. When enforced, the regulation prohibits individuals or entities from accessing or transferring any form of funds within the EU. In addition, it restricts EU businesses from transacting with those entities under sanction.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been engaged in an armed conflict since April 2023. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of 5.4 million people and an estimated total of 9,000 casualties. In the 2024 annual report, Human Rights Watch expressed specific concerns about the potential for ethnic-based violence arising from the conflict.
This conflict and the continued economic support for the involved armed forces present a sizable challenge for the peace process and pose significant human rights concerns, as reported by the JURIST.