Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act against two individuals associated with the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The two individuals targeted are associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and linked to the continued violence against civilians in Sudan. This includes widespread instances of conflict-related sexual violence. Through their leadership roles in financing and procurement networks in both opposing factions, these individuals are contributing to continued gross and systematic international humanitarian law and human rights violations by allowing both parties to sustain the fighting.
First-hand testimonies from survivors and credible reports from the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, as well as international non-governmental organizations have confirmed that conflict-related sexual violence is widespread and escalating, particularly against women and girls, ethnic minorities, and human rights defenders.
Intense fighting continues throughout Sudan despite repeated calls for a cessation of hostilities from Canada and international partners.
Canada firmly believes that the meaningful inclusion of civilian and civil society voices in mediation efforts is key to ensuring lasting peace. For this reason, Canada has increased its support to Sudanese civil society organizations, including women's rights organizations, to help bolster their capacity to engage in mediation efforts and to mitigate the impacts of the conflict. In August 2024, Jacqueline O'Neill, Canada's Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security, supported U.S.-led effort in Geneva, Switzerland, to include Sudanese women's voices in ceasefire discussions.
In November 2024, Canada announced $2 million to ensure Sudanese civil society organizations, women human rights defenders and peacebuilders have the capacity to meaningfully engage in mediation efforts. Given the ongoing conflict and the impact that it is having on Sudanese civilians, Canada also announced $1.5 million in funding to reduce conflict related violence experienced by civilians by strengthening community capacity in crisis response, conflict mitigation and psycho-social support, particularly women and girls in Darfur.
In addition to the funding announced in November 2024 Canada announced $132.2 million in international assistance funding, including $100.7 million in humanitarian assistance funding and $31.5 million in development assistance funding, to address urgent needs in Sudan and its neighbouring countries: the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
The list of sanctioned individuals includes:
- Algoney Hamdan Dagalo Musa, a major in the RSF and director of procurement for the RSF
- Mirghani Idris Suleiman, a general in the SAF
Canada unequivocally condemns the continued gross and systematic human rights violations perpetrated against the Sudanese people and is committed to helping address the humanitarian needs on the ground. We will continue our work with regional partners, relevant governments and the international community, to coordinate the response to this crisis and actively support the foundation of any future peace process, centred on the well-being of the Sudanese people.
