The UK government has sanctioned 11 Sudanese individuals and entities accused of fuelling the conflict in Sudan through the illicit gold trade, which it said has helped finance weapons procurement and the activities of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

The government announced the sanctions in a statement on Thursday, saying that the individuals and entities are linked to illicit gold networks that finance the war by smuggling gold out of the Northeast African country each year through illegal channels.

It said that, although Sudan’s gold exports were worth $1.5 billion in 2024 and 2025, the true value is estimated to be “several times” higher, as billions of dollars’ worth of gold were smuggled out of the country through illegal networks to fund the war.

“These measures target eleven individuals and entities suspected of being linked to the financing, procurement, and commercial networks supporting the RSF or the SAF and fuelling Sudan’s conflict,” London said.

It added, “All are Sudanese, but they trade internationally, including in the gold markets in Dubai and Hong Kong.”

Among the individuals is Sudanese national Abu Dharr, whom the UK government has described as a notorious RSF financier and procurement facilitator. It said Mr Dharr is suspected of helping fund and sustain RSF operations beyond Sudan’s border through ”a web of real estate, conflict gold, and holding companies based in Dubai.”

“Vast quantities of Sudanese gold continue to be monetised before entering global markets, making it a critical gateway for revenues generated by Sudan’s illicit gold sector,” it said.

According to London, the sanctions aim to expose and disrupt commercial networks that convert Sudan’s gold wealth into revenue to fuel the conflict.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper decried that the Sudanese people have continued to bear the brunt of the war fuelled by “illicit flows of gold and finance to fill the war chests on both sides.”

“As the world watches the deeply alarming build-up around El Obeid, we continue to call on the RSF to halt their assault,” said Ms Cooper. “And we are making clear that those enabling atrocities, from the battlefield to the boardroom, will be held accountable.”

The sanctions come amid the deteriorating situation in El Obeid, the capital of Sudan’s North Kordofan State, where the RSF is building up its forces and the UK has warned of the risk of a “mass atrocity.”

Ms Cooper also called for the UN arms embargo to be extended to cover El Obeid.

The UK government added that the illicit gold trade would be a key focus of its Illicit Finance Summit in London in December 2026.