The United Kingdom is considering imposing sanctions on individuals involved in the violent civil conflict in Sudan, with Members of Parliament being briefed on the visible aftermath of massacres from satellite imagery.
Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, presented satellite pictures revealing disturbing scenes of bodies piled up and blood-stained sand in el-Fasher following the city’s capture by armed paramilitary groups.
Over 30 million people are in urgent need of life-saving assistance, and 12 million individuals have been displaced due to the ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Cooper labeled the situation as the most severe humanitarian crisis of the 21st century, citing the spread of famine, rampant diseases like cholera, and the heinous acts witnessed in el-Fasher, including mass executions, starvation, and the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war.
She emphasized the gravity of the situation by stating that the atrocities are so horrific that they are discernible from space, with satellite images showing evidence of blood pools, clusters of human bodies, and mass grave sites.
Cooper disclosed that she has instructed officials to expedite the process of potentially implementing sanctions related to human rights violations and abuses in Sudan.
In a move from April 2024, the Conservative Government sanctioned businesses supporting the SAF or RSF and froze assets of entities linked to either faction. Efforts are underway to secure a three-month humanitarian ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of critical aid to the conflict-affected region.
Meanwhile, Cooper criticized Israel’s inadequate response to addressing violence by settlers in the West Bank, underscoring the necessity of stability in the area for sustainable peace. She welcomed the UN Security Council’s approval for establishing a temporary international stabilisation force in Gaza.
Cooper stressed the importance of maintaining momentum and swift deployment of an international stabilisation force and trained Palestinian police to uphold the ceasefire and prevent potential exploitation by Hamas. She also called for the prompt establishment of a Palestinian committee to support peace initiatives.