US Sanctions RSF Leader Amid Accusations of Genocide in Sudan
The Biden administration has taken significant action against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan by sanctioning its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and various businesses tied to the group in the United Arab Emirates. This move follows the US government’s accusations that the RSF has committed genocide during Sudan's ongoing civil war.
In a statement released on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken labeled the RSF as a perpetrator of systematic murder and sexual violence against specific ethnic groups. The RSF, which has been embroiled in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023, is primarily made up of ethnic Arab fighters. Reports indicate that they have focused their brutal efforts on non-Arab groups, particularly the Massalit, resulting in widespread atrocities in Darfur's western region.
Blinken detailed the group's actions, noting that they had indiscriminately killed men and boys, including infants, while also deliberately targeting women and girls for sexual violence. As the conflict escalates, reports highlight the RSF's obstruction of humanitarian aid, exacerbating the already dire conditions for civilians in Sudan, which is suffering through the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
In response to the genocide designation, sanctions were enacted against Hemedti and seven businesses owned by the RSF in the UAE. Additionally, an individual alleged to be involved in procuring weapons for the RSF faced sanctions as well. The U.S. has pointed fingers at the UAE as the primary international supporter of the RSF, a claim that the Abu Dhabi government has categorically denied.
Since the outbreak of civil war on April 15, 2023, tensions escalated after Hemedti's fallout with SAF leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. This rupture occurred shortly after both leaders executed a joint coup in October 2021, toppling former dictator Omar al-Bashir. The conflict has resulted in catastrophic humanitarian conditions—over 30 million people currently require assistance while approximately 650,000 are facing famine. Reports of casualties have been staggering, with tens of thousands killed amid the violence.
As the situation unfolds, experts warn that civilian suffering could intensify in the coming years with predictions of increased displacement and health crises as living conditions deteriorate further. Blinken was careful to clarify that the recent sanctions should not be misconstrued as favoring the SAF, as both factions are complicit in the ongoing violence.
Human rights advocates like John Prendergast, co-founder of The Sentry, underscored the importance of the Biden administration's actions, emphasizing that the RSF is responsible for some of the most atrocious acts committed globally at present. This declaration and its implications are part of a larger narrative, one that recalls similar sanctions against the Janjaweed militias, which were determined to be perpetrating genocide in Darfur over two decades ago. Historically, the RSF has its roots in these same militias, raising important questions about accountability and the international response to ongoing violence in Sudan.
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