The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on three commanders of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for their involvement in serious human rights abuses during the siege and capture of El-Fasher, Sudan. The targeted individuals are Elfateh Abdullah Idris Adam, also known as “Abu Lulu,” Gedo Hamdan Ahmed Mohamed (“Abu Shok”), and Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed (“Al Zeir Salem”).
According to the Treasury Department, these RSF leaders were responsible for a range of atrocities over an 18-month period from May 2024 to October 2025, including ethnic killings, torture, starvation tactics, and sexual violence against civilians in El-Fasher and surrounding areas. The RSF reportedly prevented food and aid from entering the city by building barriers and maintaining a siege that led to disease outbreaks and famine among approximately 260,000 trapped civilians.
“The United States calls on the Rapid Support Forces to commit to a humanitarian ceasefire immediately. We will not tolerate this ongoing campaign of terror and senseless killing in Sudan,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Without a swift end, Sudan’s civil war risks further destabilizing the region, creating conditions for terrorist groups to grow and threaten the safety and interests of the United States.”
These sanctions follow similar actions taken by the United Kingdom on December 12, 2025, and by the European Union on January 29, 2026. The conflict between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has resulted in more than 150,000 deaths and displaced over 14 million people.
The Treasury detailed specific acts committed by those sanctioned. Idris was filmed killing unarmed civilians in El-Fasher while making statements about his actions. He also interrogated captives about their tribal affiliations before executing them at close range. Although he was reportedly arrested by RSF for human rights abuses, U.S. officials believe this was likely staged to deflect responsibility from other RSF leaders.
Gedo served as commander for North Darfur since 2021; both he and Tijani were documented at an abandoned SAF base after its capture by RSF fighters who committed mass killings and abductions.
Idris was designated under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098 for engaging in violence against civilians or conduct violating international humanitarian law. Gedo and Tijani were designated under E.O. 14098 as senior leaders responsible for actions threatening peace or stability in Sudan during their tenure with RSF.
As a result of these designations, all property belonging to these individuals within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked. Any entities owned at least 50 percent by one or more blocked persons are also subject to blocking measures. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving any property linked to those sanctioned unless authorized by OFAC.
Violating these sanctions can lead to civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals involved in prohibited transactions with blocked persons or entities.
OFAC emphasized that its sanctions aim not only at punishment but at encouraging positive changes in behavior among those designated.
For more information on today’s designations visit https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2048
