Australia Sanctions Sudan’s Army and RSF Commanders Over Human Rights Abuses

November 6, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

Australia has imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on four Sudanese individuals, including the commanders of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), over alleged human rights violations during the country's ongoing conflict.

The measures, announced by the Australian government, also include financial sanctions against one entity as Canberra steps up pressure on the leadership of both warring parties.

Those targeted include Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, commander-in-chief of the SAF, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo Mousa, commander of the RSF.

Australia said both forces had committed serious human rights violations and abuses, including attacks on civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based violence and extrajudicial killings.

The sanctions were imposed under Australia's autonomous Magnitsky-style human rights framework and build on measures previously applied to 13 individuals under the United Nations Security Council's Sudan sanctions framework.

The conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced more than 14 million, according to the Australian government.

Almost 34 million people, representing more than 70 percent of Sudan's population, require humanitarian assistance.

Australia said it had provided more than 67 million Australian dollars in humanitarian assistance since the conflict began, supporting the delivery of food, clean water, shelter, healthcare and protection services, including assistance to survivors of gender-based violence.

Canberra has also issued a class-based humanitarian permit for Sudan to facilitate certain humanitarian activities that would otherwise be restricted under its autonomous sanctions framework.

The Australian government called on both sides to agree to an immediate and permanent ceasefire, protect civilians and humanitarian personnel, and allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The latest measures add to international efforts to hold those responsible for abuses in Sudan accountable as the conflict continues to drive displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis.

Source: FSX Business News