Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act against seven individuals and three entities associated with the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
After nearly two years of fighting, the situation is deteriorating, with growing violence and atrocities against civilians, propelled by the supply of arms and military equipment to the warring parties and an unwillingness on the part of the leaders to negotiate an end to the war.
This situation merits further restrictive measures against Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), for their refusal to negotiate in good faith and adhere to a permanent ceasefire. As leaders, al-Burhan and Dagalo should be held accountable for their roles in overseeing gross and systematic human rights abuses, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
These measures also target individuals who have overseen attacks against civilians, who have threatened and destabilized the democratic transition of Sudan, as well as entities involved in the procurement and financing networks for the SAF and the RSF.
The announcement underscores Canada's continued support for the people of Sudan, who are facing the devastating consequences of armed conflict since the outbreak of fighting between the SAF and RSF in April 2023.
To date, the SAF and RSF have shown little willingness to engage in international mediation efforts. Despite repeated calls to cease the violence, both parties have continued to commit abhorrent human rights abuses and international humanitarian law violations, and to inflict terror against the Sudanese people with complete disregard for their suffering.
The list of sanctioned individuals and entities affiliated with the SAF is as follows:
- Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, Commander-in-Chief and leader of the SAF
- El Tahir Mohamed El Awad El Amin, Commander and leader of the Sudanese Air Force
- Salah Abdallah Mohamed Salah Gosh, former director of Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS)
- Mohamed Atta Elmoula Abbas, former director of the NISS
- Sudan Master Technology, a Sudanese company manufacturing weapons and vehicles for the SAF as part of the SAF's financing and procurement network
The list of sanctioned individuals and entities affiliated with the RSF is as follows:
- Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo Mousa, leader of the RSF
- Amir Masar Abdurahman Aseel, a leader in Darfur affiliated with the RSF
- Al-Tijani Al-Tahir Karshoum, a leader in Darfur affiliated with the RSF
- Tradive General Trading L.L.C., a front company for the RSF
- Al Khaleej Bank, a financial institution with ties to the RSF
Canada firmly believes that the meaningful inclusion of civilian and civil society voices in mediation efforts is key to ensuring lasting peace. This is why Canada continues to support the participation of Sudanese civil society organizations and women-led rights organizations to engage in mediation efforts to help mitigate the impacts of the conflict at a local level.
Canada remains resolute in its commitment to helping address humanitarian needs on the ground. We will continue our work with regional partners, governments and the international community to coordinate the response to support the people of Sudan and those in neighbouring countries impacted by the crisis.
