Sudan: A Collective of Victims Seizes the European Union and Calls for Targeted Sanctions Against Emirati Nationals and Entities Linked to the Rapid Support Forces

The law firm DEMAIN, representing a group of Sudanese victims, submitted an official request on 10 May 2026 to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Kaja Kallas. This approach seeks to obtain the opening of an investigation and the imposition of targeted sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (CFSP Decision 2020/1999).

Serious Allegations Targeting Emirati Actors

The request implicates the alleged role of the United Arab Emirates in providing financial, logistical and military support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as "Hemedti". These allegations are based on independent investigations conducted by organisations such as The Sentry, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the New York Times. Among the individuals named are His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as several Emirati and Sudanese businessmen, and four commercial entities registered in both countries. Whilst the EU has already sanctioned certain members of the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), no restrictive measures have to date targeted Emirati nationals in connection with the conflict.

A Major Humanitarian Crisis Since April 2023

Since the outbreak of hostilities on 15 April 2023, the conflict between the RSF and the SAF has given rise to one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, according to the United Nations. The victims represented by the firm DEMAIN describe systematic attacks against civilians, including killings by drones and bombardments, destruction of property, looting, arbitrary detention, acts of torture, sexual violence and mass forced displacement. First-hand accounts from the field, including that of a doctor from El Fasher receiving up to 180 casualties per day — the majority of whom were women and children — attest to the scale of the violence.

Restrictive Measures Sought as a Matter of Urgency

In response to these allegations, the firm DEMAIN is calling for the adoption of concrete measures, including travel bans, asset freezes and financial restrictions against the identified natural and legal persons. The objective is to cut off external sources of support to the RSF in order to help bring an end to the atrocities being committed against the Sudanese civilian population.

For further information on this sanctions request, please find below the link to the official press release in English: Press Release_11 May 2026_DEMAIN Cabinet d'Avocat_Call for EU Sanctions _ RSF

@Photo credit: Mohammed HAMDAN / UNICEF