British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said on Tuesday she has asked officials to prepare possible sanctions in response to human rights abuses linked to Sudan’s ongoing conflict. (File Photo) British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said on Tuesday she has asked officials to prepare possible sanctions in response to human rights abuses linked to Sudan’s ongoing conflict. She said the UK must keep working with others to push for a ceasefire.
Cooper told lawmakers: “I’ve instructed my officials to bring forward potential sanctions relating to human rights violations and abuses in Sudan,” according to Reuters.
The war in Sudan began in 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF’s recent takeover of al-Fashir, one of Sudan’s biggest cities, has led to fears of mass killings. Both sides have relied heavily on drone strikes in recent months.
Reuters reported that Cooper criticised the world’s response to the crisis, saying the international community had ignored Sudan for “far too long”.
She also said the UK may need to help ensure that investigation teams can access Sudan to record evidence and “hold the perpetrators to account”.
Last year, Britain imposed sanctions on three companies Alkhaleej Bank, Al-Fakher Advanced Works and Red Rock Mining saying they were helping to fund military groups involved in the conflict.