The United States has accused Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing genocide during the ongoing 20-month conflict, imposing sanctions on its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the decision on Tuesday, citing “systematic atrocities” committed by the RSF and allied militias against Sudanese civilians. Blinken alleged that these forces were responsible for the murder of “men and boys, even infants,” and for the brutal sexual violence targeting women on ethnic grounds. Civilians attempting to escape the conflict were also targeted and killed, he said.
The RSF swiftly rejected the accusations, describing them as biased. Hemedti’s adviser, El-Basha Tbaeq, responded via X (formerly Twitter), accusing the Biden administration of “double standards” and failure to effectively address Sudan’s crisis. He warned that the US decision could complicate the situation and undermine peace negotiations.
Since April 2023, Sudan’s RSF has been engaged in a brutal war with the Sudanese military. The RSF, along with allied militias, has faced growing criticism for its conduct, particularly in Darfur, where it has been accused of war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and targeting non-Arab populations.
While both sides in the conflict have been accused of atrocities, the RSF’s actions in Darfur have drawn international condemnation. The conflict has spiraled into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 150,000 estimated deaths and 24.6 million people in dire need of food aid.
Famine has been declared in several regions, adding to the immense suffering of the Sudanese population.
The sanctions on Hemedti include travel bans for him and his immediate family to the US, as well as the freezing of any assets within the country. Additionally, the US has sanctioned seven RSF-owned companies in the UAE and one individual linked to the group’s weapon procurement efforts.
Blinken reiterated that neither the RSF nor Sudan’s military had the legitimacy to lead the country, emphasizing their shared responsibility for the violence.
“Both belligerents bear responsibility for the violence and suffering in Sudan and lack the legitimacy to govern a future peaceful Sudan,” he said.
Efforts to address the root causes of Sudan’s conflict remain fraught with difficulty. Experts warn that the US sanctions, while a clear signal of disapproval, may not immediately alter the dynamics on the ground. The RSF has accused Washington of ignoring other contributors to the crisis, further complicating prospects for a negotiated resolution.
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