UN Steps Up Pressure on Sudan’s Conflict with New Sanctions

The United Nations added new names to its list of sanctions this week, targeting key figures linked to Sudan’s escalating civil war. Among them is Algoney Hamdan Daglo Musa, brother of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader, accused of helping fund and arm the group. Three Colombians—previously part of their country’s military—were also named for allegedly recruiting fighters from Colombia to join the RSF’s ranks. Their roles reportedly included combat, training, and even handling drones, with some taking on the disturbing task of training child soldiers.This move follows earlier sanctions by the U. S. , France, and Britain against RSF commanders for brutal tactics, including a deadly siege in El Fasher. The war between Sudan’s army and the RSF, now in its third year, has pushed the country into one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. Reports show mercenaries from Colombia have fought in major cities like Khartoum and El Fasher, deepening the conflict’s complexity. Aid groups warn the violence has left millions displaced and in desperate need of food and medical help. The sanctions highlight a growing trend of foreign fighters joining Sudan’s war, with some estimates suggesting hundreds of ex-Colombian soldiers have traveled there for combat roles. Earlier this month, the U. S. also penalized companies and individuals involved in these recruitment efforts. The involvement of foreign mercenaries adds another layer to the crisis, raising questions about who profits from prolonging Sudan’s suffering.