Timeline - Sudan

The Council decided to introduce a ban on the purchase, import or transfer of gold coming from Sudan. It also banned the sale, supply, transfer or export of mercury and cyanide to Sudan. These chemicals are widely used for gold mining or gold exploitation. 

These measures are designed to curb sources of financing for the conflict and further increase pressure on those fuelling the war.

• Sudan: Council strengthens EU sanctions regime by targeting gold trade (press release, 13 July 2026)

The EU calls on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to immediately cease all military operations in and around El Obeid that put civilians at risk.

The EU calls on all parties involved in the conflict to return to negotiations for a lasting ceasefire, to ensure rapid, safe, unimpeded, principled and sustained humanitarian access, to support a Sudanese-led civilian political process leading to the restoration of civilian governance, and to restore and to uphold accountability and respect for international law. 

• Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the escalating violence in El Obeid (press release, 10 July 2026)

The EU strongly rejects any unilateral attempt to establish parallel governance that could risk the partition of the country and stands ready to back any credible, unified peace initiative, including options to support an international monitoring mechanism.

The EU remains firmly committed to supporting the humanitarian response to the population's needs and will continue pursuing its work on the protection of critical infrastructure. The EU reaffirms its support for the Sudanese people's aspirations for democratic governance.

• Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union marking three years of war (press release, 21 April 2026)

The Council adopted sanctions against seven additional individuals responsible for threatening the peace, stability or security of Sudan.

The dramatic escalation of violence in Sudan is causing irreparable costs to human life in Darfur and throughout the country, as well as violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

• Sudan: Council sanctions seven individuals in view of the dramatic escalation of violence in the country (press release, 29 January 2026)

The EU condemns in the strongest terms the grave and ongoing atrocities perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, including following the seizure of the city of El Fasher.

Deliberate targeting of civilians, ethnically motivated killings, systematic sexual and gender-based violence, starvation as a method of warfare and denying access for humanitarian aid are serious breaches of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Such acts may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

• Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union (press release, 20 November 2025)

The EU strongly condemns the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has brought about the loss of thousands of lives, has been causing immense hardship for the Sudanese people for more than two years and poses a serious threat to stability and security across the wider region.

The EU is extremely concerned about the unity, territorial integrity and stability of Sudan and rejects any attempt to partition the country.

• Sudan: Council approves conclusions on the ongoing conflict (press release, 20 October 2025)

The Council agreed to extend until 10 October 2026 the EU sanctions against those responsible for destabilising Sudan and obstructing its political transition.

• Sudan: EU extends sanctions regime by one year (press release, 22 September 2025)

The Council adopted sanctions against two individuals and two entities responsible for serious human rights violations and threats to the peace, stability and security of Sudan.

• Sudan: Council sanctions individuals and entities over serious human rights violations and threats to the peace, stability and security of the country (press release, 18 July 2025)

The EU reiterates its strong appeal to the warring parties for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and calls on all states supplying arms and funds to the belligerents to cease their support immediately and unite in favour of peace.

The EU urges the belligerent parties to negotiate in good faith for a sustainable peace, wherein territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty are respected. 

• Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union marking two years of war (press release, 11 April 2025)

The Council adopted sanctions against four individuals responsible for threatening the peace, stability and security of Sudan.

• Sudan: Council adds four individuals to EU sanctions list for threatening the peace, stability and security of the country (press release, 16 December 2024)

EU leaders express their deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan and strongly condemn the indiscriminate and direct targeting of civilians, which is leading to a deterioration of the situation. 

The EU calls on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease all hostilities and supports a sustainable resolution of the conflict through dialogue.

• European Council, 17 October 2024

The Council decided to extend the sanctions targeting those responsible for undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan until 10 October 2025.

• Sudan: EU sanctions regime prolonged for a further year (press release, 8 October 2024)

The Council adopted restrictive measures against six individuals responsible for activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.

• Sudan: Council lists 6 individuals for undermining stability and political transition (press release, 24 June 2024)

One year into the conflict, the EU recalls its strong appeal to the warring parties for an immediate and durable ceasefire, as well as for the establishment of monitoring mechanisms.

The EU reminds the warring parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. Denying access to food, healthcare and relief items is a clear violation of international law which may constitute war crimes.

• Sudan: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union one year into the conflict (press release, 12 April 2024)

The Council adopted sanctions against six entities responsible for supporting activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.

• Sudan: Council adds six entities to EU sanctions list (press release, 22 January 2024)

The European Union and its member states reiterate their strong condemnation of the continuous fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and their respective affiliated militias. 

The EU deplores the dramatic escalation of violence and the irreparable cost to human life in Darfur and throughout the country, as well as the violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

• Sudan: statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the latest situation (press release, 27 November 2023)

The Council adopted a dedicated regime of sanctions in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan.

• Council decision concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan (EU Official Journal)

The European Union strongly condemns the ongoing fighting in Sudan, as well as the continued refusal by the parties to the conflict to seek a peaceful solution.

The EU deplores the loss of life and gross violations of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and is particularly concerned about the reports of large-scale attacks on civilians and civilian areas.

• Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the armed conflict (press release, 5 July 2023)

The European Union and its member states strongly condemn the ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which threatens the safety and security of the people of Sudan and the unity and stability of the country.

The EU deplores the loss of life and the violations of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, 

• Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the latest developments (press release, 19 April 2023)