The United Kingdom is considering imposing sanctions on individuals involved in the violent civil conflict in Sudan, with reports indicating that the aftermath of massacres is visible from space.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted how satellite imagery reveals disturbing scenes of bodies stacked up high and sand stained with pools of blood following the capture of el-Fasher in Sudan by armed paramilitary forces.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in over 30 million people requiring urgent humanitarian assistance, with 12 million individuals displaced.
Describing the situation as the “most severe humanitarian crisis of the 21st Century,” Cooper informed Members of Parliament that famine, cholera outbreaks, and other preventable diseases are rampant. She detailed the disturbing atrocities in el-Fasher, including mass executions, starvation, and the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war.
The Foreign Secretary emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that unless significant measures are taken, further horrors will unfold. She announced plans to explore potential sanctions related to human rights violations and abuses in Sudan.
In a move earlier in April 2024, the Conservative Government sanctioned businesses supporting the SAF or RSF and froze assets of entities linked to either side. Efforts are underway to secure a three-month humanitarian ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of essential aid to the conflict-affected region.
Additionally, Cooper expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s response to settler violence in the West Bank, emphasizing the importance of stability in the region for sustainable peace. Following the approval of a temporary international stabilisation force for Gaza by the UN Security Council, she stressed the need for continued momentum and swift deployment of international and Palestinian security forces to support the ceasefire and prevent exploitation by militant groups.