The measures, announced on November 5, 2026, target four individuals and one armed group accused of involvement in serious human rights abuses, including attacks on civilians, torture and extrajudicial killings.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the sanctions fall under Canberra’s Magnitsky-style human rights framework, which restricts financial dealings with individuals and organisations implicated in serious violations.
“The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have committed serious human rights violations and abuses, including attacks on civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and extrajudicial killings,” Wong said in a statement.
“Those responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses must be held to account.”
Australia joins international sanctions against Sudan’s military leaders
The sanctions target Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, West Darfur’s de facto governor Al-Tijani Al-Tahir Karshoum, and RSF commander Hussein Barsham.
All four face asset freezes and travel bans, barring them from entering Australia and restricting access to assets under Australian jurisdiction.
Australian individuals and businesses are also prohibited from providing them with funds without government authorisation.
Canberra separately imposed financial sanctions on the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, an armed group aligned with Sudan’s military.
The move follows similar action by Washington, which sanctioned Dagalo on January 7, 2025, and al-Burhan nine days later.
Canada also imposed restrictions on both commanders in March 2025, while Britain and the European Union have targeted other figures and organisations linked to Sudan’s warring factions.
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis deepens despite billions in international aid
The international pressure comes as Sudan’s civil war, which erupted on April 15, 2023, continues to devastate the country’s population and economy.
According to Australia’s foreign ministry, hundreds of thousands have been killed and more than 14 million displaced, while nearly 34 million people, representing over 70% of the population, require humanitarian assistance.
Based on annual figures attributed to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Sudan’s humanitarian response received an estimated US$6.23 billion between 2023 and November 2026.
This includes US$1.32 billion in 2023, US$1.8 billion in 2024, US$1.67 billion in 2025 and US$1.44 billion in 2026.
Yet the funding remains insufficient. By November 5, 2026, this year’s response plan had secured only about half of its US$2.87 billion requirement, leaving a significant gap in humanitarian assistance.
As the crisis persists despite international funding and sanctions, Wong condemned attacks on civilians and called for an immediate end to the fighting.
“Australia unequivocally condemns violence against civilians and humanitarian personnel,” she said.
“We call on all parties to the conflict to agree to an immediate and permanent ceasefire, to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel, and to allow and facilitate full, safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access, in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
