The targeted companies have been fueling the country's ongoing conflict that saw thousands killed and millions displaced.
The decision was announced just a day before the United Nations revealed on Thursday that a mass grave had been uncovered in West Darfur.
"The bodies of at least 87 ethnic Masalit and others allegedly killed last month by Rapid Support Forces and their allied militia in West Darfur have been buried in a mass grave outside the region's capital, El-Geneina," the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said in a statement citing "credible information" it obtained.
According to the OHCHR, locals were compelled to dispose of the remains in a mass grave in accordance with RSF directives, which denied those slain a proper burial in one of the city's cemeteries.
It is believed that the victims were killed between June 13 and 21.
"At least 37 bodies were buried on June 20 in the approximately one-meter-deep mass grave in an open area called Al-Turab Al Ahmar, in the Ranga area... while another 50 bodies were buried at the same site on June 21," read the statement, emphasizing that the "bodies of seven women and seven children were among those buried."
As part of the U.K.'s response to the continuous hostilities since April, and amid a mounting humanitarian catastrophe, the U.K. government stated that it has imposed strict measures to block sources of funding and push the warring parties to participate in the peace process. The aim is to facilitate the entry of humanitarian supplies into Sudan and help put a stop to crimes against civilians.
In total, the U.K. government has named six commercial entities, with three connected enterprises targeted by each of the two warring sides.
Defense Industries Systems (DIS), a large conglomerate owned by the Sudan Armed Forces with an annual profit of US$2 billion, its subsidiary Zadna International Company for Investment Limited, and Sudan Master Technology, a Sudanese company involved in the arms trade with close commercial ties to DIS, have all been linked to the SAF under the command of General Abdel Fattah al Burhan.
Companies associated with the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, have also been sanctioned. These include the RSF-established Al-Junaid company, suspected of providing tens of millions in financial support to the militia, GSK Advance Company Ltd (a key front RSF-owned company), and Tradive General Trading co, responsible for supplying funds and materials such as vehicles retrofitted with machine guns for the RSF.
According to the government, these sanctions "will ensure that any assets held in the U.K. by these conglomerates and companies will be frozen."
"These strict measures on companies controlled by SAF and RSF will limit their financial freedom by preventing U.K. citizens, companies, and banks from dealing with them and put pressure on the parties to engage in the peace process," read the government's statement.
Sudan's almost three-month-long conflict has resulted in 25 million people in need of humanitarian aid, over 2.2 million internally displaced, and an estimated 682,000 people fleeing to neighboring countries, the statement said.
During this time, multibillion-dollar enterprises and companies linked to both parties have provided a steady stream of funding and weaponry, enabling the war to continue and resulting in crimes against civilians.
"These sanctions directly target those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions. Both sides have committed multiple ceasefire violations in a war that is completely unjustified," said the UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly.
He emphasized that the U.K. government, in collaboration with international partners, will continue to do everything possible "to support a meaningful peace process, stop the violence, and secure free humanitarian access."
According to Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell, these sanctions "will not impact vital aid to the region and include a humanitarian exemption, ensuring that aid can continue to be delivered by the UN and other eligible organizations."
