The United States has accused Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing genocide and imposed sanctions on its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.
The US Secretary of State announced that the RSF and allied militias were responsible for systematic atrocities, including the murder of men, boys, and infants, as well as brutal sexual violence against women based on ethnic grounds. Civilians fleeing the conflict were also targeted and killed.
The RSF, which has been engaged in a deadly conflict with Sudan’s military since April 2023, has been accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing, particularly in the western Darfur region. This has contributed to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing famine and displacement.
Sanctions have been placed on Hemedti and his immediate family, barring them from entering the US and freezing any assets they may have in the country. Several RSF-owned companies, particularly those involved in the gold trade, have also been sanctioned for supporting the group’s operations.
Critics argue that while these sanctions may not have an immediate impact on the ongoing conflict, they could increase pressure on regional backers to distance themselves from the RSF. The sanctions may also complicate the RSF’s control over significant portions of Sudan, including Darfur and Khartoum.
The US government has emphasized that neither the RSF nor Sudan’s military has the legitimacy to govern, calling for a resolution to the ongoing crisis. However, the RSF has dismissed the accusations, describing them as biased and counterproductive to peace efforts.
With millions in urgent need of food aid and ongoing violence displacing countless civilians, the situation in Sudan remains dire, leaving many uncertain about the path to peace.
