What's happened
The EU has imposed sanctions on Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, deputy head of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, following the seizure of El-Fasher in Darfur. The move condemns ongoing atrocities, including killings and sexual violence, amid Sudan's escalating conflict that has displaced millions since 2023. The US and other nations are calling for ceasefires and increased diplomatic efforts.
What's behind the headline?
The EU's sanctions targeting Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo highlight the international community's focus on accountability for war crimes in Sudan. These measures, including visa bans and asset freezes, aim to pressure RSF leadership amid ongoing atrocities. The seizure of El-Fasher marks a significant escalation, effectively consolidating RSF control over Darfur and worsening the humanitarian crisis. The conflict's deepening underscores the failure of diplomatic efforts, with both sides blaming each other for obstructing peace. The US's recent involvement, including President Trump's expressed intent to push for peace, indicates a potential shift toward more active diplomatic engagement. However, regional support for the RSF and the complex web of alliances suggest that a swift resolution remains unlikely. The situation will likely deteriorate further unless international pressure leads to meaningful negotiations, and the humanitarian toll will continue to rise if aid access remains blocked.
What the papers say
The articles from Arab News, AP News, and The New Arab collectively emphasize the EU's recent sanctions against Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, citing ongoing atrocities and the seizure of El-Fasher. Arab News highlights the EU's condemnation and the broader context of Sudan's conflict, while AP News details the US's ongoing sanctions and President Trump's recent remarks on ending the war. The New Arab underscores regional support dynamics and the international outcry following the city's capture. Despite slight differences in focus, all sources agree on the severity of the crisis and the international community's efforts to respond through sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
How we got here
Sudan's civil war erupted in April 2023 between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ('Hemedti'). The conflict stems from tensions over the country's transition to democracy after the 2019 uprising. The war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions, with recent battles over key cities like El-Fasher in Darfur intensifying the crisis. International actors, including the EU and US, have responded with sanctions and calls for ceasefires, amid accusations of war crimes and support from regional powers.
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the Sudanese Government. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur, killing an
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Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, colloquially known as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He is currently serving as the country's deputy prime minister and is also Chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, Chairman of
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Darfur is a region of western Sudan. Dār is an Arabic word meaning "home [of]" – the region was named Dardaju while ruled by the Daju, who migrated from Meroë c. 350 AD, and it was renamed Dartunjur when the Tunjur ruled the area.