Sudan: UN chief warns of war crimes, as UK sanctions firms linked to warring military camps

The vicious fighting between two rival generals in Sudan may include “war crimes and crimes against humanity,” UN chief said on Monday (15 April), just as the United Kingdom on the same day announced sanctions against businesses linked to the warring parties in the north-east African country.

“This is more than a conflict between two warring parties,” the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, adding that “it is a war being waged on the Sudanese people,” in reference to the tens of thousands of people killed and 18 million facing “acute hunger.” According to Guterres, “indiscriminate attacks that are killing, injuring and terrorizing civilians could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.” He also reiterated his concerns about reports of escalating unrest in El-Fasher, in Darfur, that may currently be witnessing sexual and ethnic-based violence. “Let me be clear: Any attack on El-Fasher would be devastating for civilians and could lead to full-blown inter-communal conflict across Darfur.”

It comes as the UK has announced “strict measures” against any businesses involved in the conflict in Sudan, which is facing a major humanitarian catastrophe after a year of fighting between rival generals. Aid workers say the conflict has led to a humanitarian disaster in the country of 48 million, with many civilians enduring starvation, large-scale ethnic killing, executions, and sexual violence. The foreign office said the sanctions will include an asset freeze on companies linked to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).