First adopted sanctions against individuals responsible of war crimes in Sudan

On Tuesday, April 25, the United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on four Sudanese individuals responsible for human rights violations and obstruction of the peace process in Darfur. This new adopted measure reinforces the credibility of the UN Security Council by sending a clear message that perpetrators will be punished if they break the law.  

Authorized by the UN Resolution 1591 (passed in March 2005), the sanctions impose travel bans on the individuals and freezes their assets abroad. The four individuals who have been sanctioned are Gaffar Mohamed Elhassan (an ex-air force commander), Sheikh Musa Hilal (a Janjaweed leader), and the two rebel commanders Adam Yacub Shant and Gabril Abdul Kareem Badri.

Although China, Russia and Qatar – the only Arab member of the Council – opposed this UN measure, they abstained and allowed for the vote to pass. Their main reason against sanctions has been that the measure would deteriorate the fragile peace process in Abuja.   

The international community has several tools at its disposal to stop the genocide in Darfur including the use of sanctions. The resolution to impose sanctions on the four Sudanese officials is a step forward, but more needs to be done to end the violence in the region.

+ DARFUR RESOURCE CENTER


Updated April 27, 2006