Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1481 of 18 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan
Date: 2025-07-18
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU restrictive measure, Sudan, economic sanctions, international sanctions, legal person, natural person








L_202501481EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2025/1481


18.7.2025







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/1481
         
of 18 July 2025
         
amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 29 thereof,


Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:







(1)


On 9 October 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 (1).












(2)


On 27 November 2023, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on behalf of the Union, in which the Union and its Member States reiterated their strong condemnation of the continuous fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their respective affiliated militias. The statement also deplored the dramatic escalation of violence and the irreparable cost to human life in Darfur and throughout the country, as well as violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.












(3)


In view of the gravity of the situation, two individuals and two entities should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities or bodies set out in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135.












(4)


Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.


Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




Done at Brussels, 18 July 2025.


For the Council


The President

M. BJERRE
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 of 9 October 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan (OJ L, 2023/2135, 11.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2135/oj).




ANNEX
The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 is amended as follows:






(1)


under heading ‘A. List of natural persons referred to in Article 1(1) and in Article 2(1)’, the following entries are added:









 


Name


Identifying information


Reasons


Date of listing




‘11.


Abu Aqla Mohamed Ahmed KAIKAL


Nationality: Sudanese
Gender: male
Function: Commander of a SAF-affiliated militia
Associated entities: SAF


Abu Aqla Mohamed Ahmed Kaikal is a Sudanese Military Commander who served in the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Jazira state in Sudan until he defected to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in October 2024. In December 2023, he was appointed by the RSF as Governor of the Jazira state, after the RSF violently took over that area. The RSF is responsible for attacking cities and humanitarian hubs in the Jazira state, leading to massive displacement of civilians, hunger, shortage of medicines and impediment of humanitarian aid. Jazira state specifically has been a centre of violence committed by the RSF during Kaikal’s governorship. Therefore, Abu Aqla Mohamed Ahmed Kaikal is responsible for actions and policies that threaten the peace, stability and security of Sudan. In addition, he is responsible for directing acts in Sudan that constitute serious human rights violations, and for obstructing the delivery of, access to and distribution of humanitarian assistance in Sudan.


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12.


Hussein BARSHAM


Nationality: Sudanese
Gender: male
Function: Military Field Commander of the RSF
Associated entities: RSF; Misseria tribe


Hussein Barsham is a Military Field Commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an organisation that has been accused by international non-governmental organisations of ethnic cleansing and even genocide against the Masalit tribe and other non-Arab groups in Darfur.
As a Commander, Hussein Barsham has led RSF soldiers in the capture of the Baleela airport from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the capture of localities in the West Kordofan state, such as Meiram. He has played a leading role in RSF operations that have resulted in mass atrocities, including targeted killings, ethnic violence, forced displacement and violence against civilians, particularly in Darfur and other conflict-affected regions of Sudan. Under his command, RSF forces have been involved in mass killings and atrocities. Barsham has been engaged in the fighting in the Kordofan region. He has led attacks on several localities and has been present at the sites of atrocities and mass executions committed by soldiers under his command. Such acts constitute war crimes.
Hussein Barsham is therefore responsible for actions that threaten the peace, stability and security of Sudan. He is also responsible for undermining efforts to resume the political transition in Sudan and for directing or committing acts in Sudan that constitute serious human rights violations or abuses or violations of international humanitarian law.


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(2)


under heading ‘B. List of legal persons, entities or bodies referred to in Article 2(1)’, the following entries are added:









 


Name


Identifying information


Reasons


Date of listing




‘7.


Alkhaleej Bank Co Ltd
a.k.a.:
Khaleej Bank;
Al Rowad Bank For Development & Investment;
Al Rowad Bank For Development And Investment;
Al-Khaleej Bank;
بنك الخليج


Address: Albaraka Tower, 6th Floor, 1 Al Qasr, Khartoum, Sudan
Website: https://al-khaleejbank.com/alkhaleej/

Type of entity: Financial institution
Registration number: SUDAN-EO14098
Principal place of business: Khartoum, Sudan
Associated individuals or entities: Mustafa Ibrahim Abdel Nabi Mohamed, designated by the Union on 24.6.2024; Musa Hamdan Dagalo Musa, brother of RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo; Shield Protective Solutions Co. Ltd. (Sudan)


Alkhaleej Bank Co Ltd (“Alkhaleej”) plays an essential role in the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) efforts to finance its own operations, complicating efforts to stop the fighting in Sudan. Alkhaleej is largely owned by companies linked to family members of RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and is therefore considered to be controlled by the RSF.
Before and during the war, the RSF has established complex financial networks using profits from its gold business to fund weapons, salaries and media campaigns, and to gain political support. It controls a network of up to 50 companies, including Alkhaleej, which became a key financier and received USD 50 million from Sudan’s Central Bank in March 2023. Furthermore, Alkhaleej has international banking ties that allow the RSF to operate within the global financial system. Hemedti’s network reportedly owns a significant portion of Alkhaleej, with some estimates suggesting majority control.
The RSF’s business activities span multiple sectors, including transport, construction, agriculture and banking, making Hemedti one of Sudan’s wealthiest and most powerful figures. Alkhaleej plays a crucial role in those operations, offering a direct or indirect financial lifeline to the RSF.
As a key financier and facilitator of the RSF and its armed attacks and actions, Alkhaleej Bank Co Ltd is therefore engaging directly or indirectly in providing support to, or benefitting from, actions or policies that threaten the peace, stability or security of Sudan.


18.7.2025




8.


Red Rock Mining Company
a.k.a. Red Rock Ltd


Address: Blok 9, Kafory, Khartoum, Sudan
Telephone: + 249 1203 47711
Website: https://redrockmining.co/contact-us/#

Email: corporate@redrockmining.net
info@redrocksd.com
Type of entity: mining company
Date of registration: 1960s
Registration number: Group ID: 16463
Principal place of business: United Arab Emirates
Address: Office 320, Emarat Atrium Building, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Associated individuals or entities: SMT Engineering


Red Rock Mining Company is a mining and exploration company. Its parent company is SMT Engineering (SMT), which is subject to restrictive measures by the Union, the United States and the United Kingdom. SMT is a major joint shareholder, along with the Defense Industries System (DIS), in three companies involved in the production of weapons and vehicles for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
The mining sector is of particular importance for the fuelling of conflict. Mining areas are often linked to war zones and represent strategically important sites to conquer for the conflict parties, increasing competition and tensions. Red Rock Mining Company is present and active in Sudan. It further holds a concession near al Damazin, which was taken over by the SAF in 2012.
Red Rock Mining Company provides funding to the armed groups behind the Sudanese conflict, most prominently to the SAF. Red Rock Mining Company has a 99 % shareholding in Advanced Mining Works, which is part of the multi-sectoral network of corporations and shareholdings headed by the parent company GIAD. GIAD is involved, among others, in the production of weapons and vehicles for SAF, as well as in the provision of services. The GIAD conglomerate is controlled by the SAF via the DIS.
Red Rock Mining Company is therefore an entity providing support to actions or policies that threaten the peace, stability and security of Sudan. It is also associated with designated individuals and entities.


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ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1481/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)