OTTAWA (Al=Yurae) — Canada announced Thursday it has imposed sanctions on prominent Sudanese military leaders, including army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. The sanctions also target former intelligence chiefs Salah Abdallah Gosh and Mohamed Atta al-Moula Abbas, along with three entities linked to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The sanctions, imposed under Canada’s Special Economic Measures Act, freeze the financial assets of listed individuals and entities and prohibit dealings with their property. The measures aim to curtail the ability of these figures to fund military operations that have worsened Sudan’s humanitarian crisis since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF in April 2023.
Among the sanctioned entities are Sudan Master Technology, which produces weapons and vehicles for the SAF; Tradive General Trading, affiliated with the RSF; and Al Khaleej Bank, which has ties to RSF operations. Additionally, Sudanese Air Force Commander El Tahir Mohamed El Awad El Amin is included in the sanctions list.
The conflict, which has spread across more than 70% of Sudan’s territory, has seen an escalation in airstrikes that human rights organizations describe as violations of international law. Estimates indicate that Sudanese airstrikes have killed thousands of civilians, destroyed over 200 historical and civilian sites, and damaged approximately 10,000 homes, as well as critical infrastructure such as markets and utilities.
Canada’s move follows similar sanctions imposed by the United States in January and reflects mounting international pressure on Sudan’s warring parties. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized that these measures are part of Canada’s commitment to holding those responsible for atrocities accountable while supporting a return to peace and democracy in Sudan.
The sanctions underscore Canada’s broader efforts to address human rights abuses and promote peace in Sudan through targeted economic restrictions on individuals and entities perpetuating violence.
