An essential tool of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) are restrictive measures, also known as "sanctions". They are utilised by the EU as a component of a coordinated and all-encompassing policy approach that includes political discussion, complementary actions, and the use of other tools at its disposal.[1]
In order to advance the CFSP's goals, sanctions aim to change the behaviour or policy of those who are targeted. They may be addressed to governments of non-EU nations because of their policies; to entities (companies) which provide a means to carry out the targeted policies; groups or organisations, such as terrorist organisations; and people who support the targeted policies or who engage in terrorist activities, etc.
Targeted parties
Countries/governments
Other sanctions
Individuals
The European Union has also sanctioned entities and individuals. In relation to the Sudanese civil war started in 2023 it took several actions. On 22 January 2024 it first sanctioned 6 entities with ties to the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. With Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1783 on 24 June 2024 it also added six persons on the list of sanctioned individuals and entities. They were Mirghani Idriss Suleiman, El Tahir Mohamed El Awad El Amin, Ali Ahmed Karti, Abdulrahman Juma Barakallah, Mustafa Ibrahim Abdel Nabi Mohamed and Masar Abdurahman Aseel.[37] With Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3156 of 16 December 2024 it added four others: Salah Abdallah Mohamed Salah, Tijani Karshom, Mohamed Ali Ahmed Subir and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed.[38]
↑"How and when the EU adopts sanctions - Consilium". Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑"EU pulls Afghanistan funding, will only work with Taliban if human rights respected". CNBC. 18 August 2021.
↑"Country or Category: Belarus". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Burundi". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"EU extends human rights sanctions, including on Chinese officials | Reuters". Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑"Country or Category: Iran". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Mali". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Myanmar (Burma)". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Myanmar/Burma: EU imposes sixth round of sanctions against 9 individuals and 7 entities - Consilium". Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑"EU extends Myanmar sanctions, including against junta leader". Associated Press News. 29 April 2021.
↑"Country or Category: Nicaragua". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Niger". www.sanctionsmap.eu. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑"Country or Category:Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK – North Korea)". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Russia". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"EU sanctions against Russia explained - Consilium". Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑"Country or Category: Moldova". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Ukraine". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Venezuela". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Zimbabwe". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"The Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020". legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑"Country or Category: Central African Republic". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Democratic Republic of the Congo". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Guatemala". www.sanctionsmap.eu. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑"Country or Category: Guinea". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Guinea-Bissau". www.sanctionsmap.eu. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
↑"Country or Category: Haiti". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Iraq". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Lebanon". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Libya". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Serbia". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Somalia". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: South Sudan". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Sudan". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Tunisia". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"What are the Sanctions on Turkey?". complyadvantage.com. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"Country or Category: Yemen". EU Sanctions Map. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
↑"COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/1783 of 24 June 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2147 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan". Official Journal of the European Union. 24 June 2024. Archived from the original on 5 September 2025.
↑"COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/3156 of 16 December 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2147 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan". Official Journal of the European Union. 16 December 2024. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025.
↑"COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/1481 of 18 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan". Official Journal of the European Union. 18 July 2025. Archived from the original on 25 January 2026.
↑"EU targets Sudanese commanders and companies for human rights Violations". Sudan Tribune. 18 July 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
↑Blackburn, Gavin (21 November 2025). "EU sanctions Sudanese paramilitary leader after atrocities by his forces in Darfur". Euronews. Archived from the original on 14 December 2025.
↑"COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2025/2368 of 20 November 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2147 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan". Official Journal of the European Union. 20 November 2025. Archived from the original on 14 December 2025.
↑"Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/254 of 29 January 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan". EUR-lex. Archived from the original on 8 February 2026.
↑"EU blacklists seven in Sudan, including RSF leader's brother". Sudan Tribune. 29 January 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
Further reading
Butler, Graham (2023). "Of Rulers, Relatives, and Businesspersons: The Imposition of Sanctions on Family Members". Legal Issues of Economic Integration. 50 (4): 367–390. doi:10.54648/leie2023024.
