UK sanctions businesses linked to Sudanese military groups

LONDON - Britain on Wednesday imposed sanctions on businesses it said were linked to Sudanese military groups behind the ongoing conflict in the North African country.

The government has sanctioned six commercial entities, targeting businesses associated with the two warring parties, it said in a statement.

"We simply cannot afford to sit-by and watch as money from these companies, all funding the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) or SAF (Sudan Armed Forces), is spent on a senseless conflict," foreign minister James Cleverly said.

"We will continue to do all we can to support a meaningful peace process, stop the violence and secure free humanitarian access."

The sanctions come after estimates showed the number of people who were uprooted by the conflict which started three months ago had surpassed 3 million.

Companies associated with the RSF that were sanctioned include Al-Junaid, which the British government said has provided "at least tens of millions in financial backing for the militia," GSK Advance Company Ltd, and Tradive General Trading.

Defense Industries Systems, Sudan Master Technology and a unit of DIS, Zadna International Company for Investment Ltd, were targeted as entities associated with the SAF, the statement said.