EU Parliament Presses for Terrorist Designation of Sudan’s RSF Over El-Obeid Siege
Monday, 20 July 2026
Atlantic Digest Foreign Affairs Desk
The European Parliament has adopted a landmark resolution calling on all European Union member states to designate Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a terrorist organisation over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country’s ongoing conflict, particularly the group’s siege of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State.
The resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority of lawmakers, securing 476 votes in favour, 28 against and 96 abstentions, underscoring growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan. Members of Parliament said the RSF’s actions against civilians warrant stronger international accountability and coordinated sanctions.
In a significant shift in European policy language, the resolution also explicitly named the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time as a party allegedly contributing to the conflict. Lawmakers expressed concern over reports of external support for the warring parties and called for greater scrutiny of entities suspected of fuelling the violence.
The Parliament urged the European Union to impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for attacks against civilians, as well as on a UAE-based company accused of facilitating activities linked to the conflict. It also called for an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the war.
Recognising the worsening humanitarian situation, lawmakers demanded the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors to enable civilians trapped in conflict zones to evacuate and receive food, medical supplies and other emergency assistance. They further recommended expanding the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to cover the entirety of Sudan, allowing investigators to pursue accountability for atrocities committed beyond Darfur.
The parliamentary action follows warnings from a United Nations fact-finding mission, which concluded that atrocities committed during the RSF assault on El-Fasher bore the hallmarks of genocide. The ICC has also reported significant progress in linking crimes committed in Darfur to senior leadership figures, strengthening international efforts to prosecute those responsible.
Days after the European Parliament adopted the resolution, the Council of the European Union announced additional measures to reinforce its sanctions regime against individuals and organisations connected to the Sudan conflict, signalling a broader European effort to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on those accused of prolonging the war.
As fighting continues across Sudan, international concern over civilian casualties, displacement and humanitarian access continues to grow. The European Parliament’s resolution represents one of the strongest calls yet for tougher international action, highlighting renewed demands for accountability, justice and an end to a conflict that has plunged Sudan into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
