DWAG welcomes the important accountability measure taken by the UK government
On December 12, 2025, the United Kingdom took a pivotal decision by sanctioning four senior RSF commanders, Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, Gedo Hamdan Ahmed, Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, and Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed, with asset freezes and travel bans for their involvement in atrocities in El Fasher, including mass killings, systematic sexual violence, and deliberate attacks on civilians. The UK stated plainly that what is happening in El Fasher is “not random,” but a deliberate strategy to terrorise communities and seize control through fear and violence.
These measures would not have come without dedicated and tireless advocacy by survivors, CSOs, including DWAG and its partners, and the affected communities at large.
We commend the UK government’s decisive step in holding perpetrators accountable. We also wish to stress that the announcement is a step in the right direction, but to be effective, sanctions need to be bilateral and multilaterally enforced.
To reinforce these sanctions, assets frozen must be restored and reallocated to support the people with adequate humanitarian aid, peace building, and restoration of infrastructure as a foundation for a sustainable solution.
This decision is of significant importance, particularly for survivors, as it recognizes their plight and ensures that such brutal crimes will not go unnoticed. It is indeed more important to send a clear message to perpetrators and enablers alike that they must pay for the crimes they continue to commit.
The UK also announced an additional £21 million in humanitarian support, part of a £146 million commitment this year, intended to help reach 150,000 people with lifesaving assistance. We appreciate the United Kingdom’s decisive steps toward accountability and its commitment to lifesaving humanitarian assistance. These measures are critical toward greater recognition and accountability. At the same time, they must be built upon and sustained. Sanctions on senior commanders are an important beginning, but justice will remain incomplete unless accountability reaches the architects and enablers of this system of terror, including those who order, finance, arm, and shield these crimes. While this measure marks an important path toward full accountability,
The challenges and gaps remain in the provision of meaningful civilian protection and unhindered humanitarian access for the people of El Fasher and across Sudan, now, not later.
Noting that these measures without protection of civilians and lifesaving measures on the ground will remain removed and far from eliminating the long and ongoing suffering.
Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to call on the UK and all member states, including the US, to take robust steps to protect civilians and halt the deadliest attack
Resolving the crises in Sudan needs an atrocity prevention approach that starts with civilian protection, unhindered humanitarian aid, and criminal and financial accountability to create an enabling environment for lasting peace.
Read the full announcement here: UK sanction statement.
We sincerely thank our supporters, the friends of Sudan, and advocates for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the people of Sudan. When we speak, they listen and take action. We must make our voice louder and keep the pressure to ensure that other leaders follow the footsteps of the UK.
With Gratitude,
Niemat Ahmadi
President, Darfur Women Action Group
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