In a significant escalation of international response to the ongoing crisis in Sudan, the United States has formally accused the Sudan Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing genocide. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, the leader of the RSF, would face sanctions for his involvement in “systematic” atrocities during the 20-month conflict in Sudan.
Blinken detailed the severe human rights violations, stating that the RSF and its allied militias were directly responsible for the murder of “men and boys – even infants” and committing brutal acts of sexual violence against women based on ethnicity. Additionally, he highlighted the targeting of civilians attempting to flee the conflict zones, resulting in the murder of innocent people.
“Based on this information, I have now concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan,” Blinken declared, marking a pivotal moment in the international community’s stance on the conflict.
In reaction, the RSF, through Hemedti’s adviser El-Basha Tbaeq, accused the US of double standards and ineffective handling of the Sudan crisis via a post on his X account. Tbaeq suggested that these sanctions could complicate the situation further, potentially hindering peace negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict’s root causes.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, pits the RSF against the Sudanese military, leading to widespread condemnation due to the RSF’s conduct. Prior to this, the US had already recognized the RSF’s actions in Darfur as involving war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing, primarily targeting non-Arab populations.
The humanitarian toll of this conflict is staggering, with reports indicating up to 150,000 deaths as per US special envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello in May. The war has triggered one of the globe’s most severe humanitarian crises, with famine declared in multiple regions, and 24.6 million people—approximately half of Sudan’s population—desperately needing food aid.
Blinken emphasized the lack of legitimacy of both the RSF and Sudan’s military to govern post-conflict Sudan, stating, “Both belligerents bear responsibility for the violence and suffering in Sudan and lack the legitimacy to govern a future peaceful Sudan.”
As part of the sanctions, Hemedti and his immediate family are now barred from entering the United States, with any assets they hold there being frozen. Additionally, the US has imposed sanctions on seven companies owned by the RSF in the United Arab Emirates and one other individual, accusing them of facilitating the procurement of weapons for the militia group.
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