The United States has accused members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other militias in Sudan of committing genocide. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has been sanctioned, preventing him from entering the US and freezing any assets he may hold there.
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, following prolonged tensions between the military and the RSF, with significant fighting focused around Khartoum and the western regions, especially Darfur. US Secretary of State Blinken stated that the RSF is guilty of repeated direct attacks on civilians, including the killing of men and boys based on ethnicity, and sexual violence against women and girls from certain ethnic groups.
Civilians attempting to flee have also been targeted. Earlier this week, the United Nations warned of an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis” in Sudan, affecting over 30 million people, or about 60% of the population, with around 10 million displaced internally.
Blinken described the situation as systematic killing and violence, asserting that the RSF is committing genocide. “The United States is committed to holding those responsible for these atrocities accountable,” Blinken stated.
Aid organizations report the country’s collapse, with over 60,000 deaths in the Khartoum region. The UN food watchdog IPC warned nearly two weeks ago of widespread famine and poor access to humanitarian aid.
The displacement crisis is considered the largest in the world by the UN.
Source: NOS