In a severe indictment of the current conflict in Sudan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared on Tuesday that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have carried out acts synonymous with genocide during the nation’s ongoing civil war. This announcement marks the grim reality of a second genocide in Sudan within a span of just three decades, reminiscent of the Darfur catastrophe in the early 2000s. The details of Secretary Blinken’s statement can be reviewed here.
Key atrocities highlighted include ethnically targeted massacres, endorsed by the RSF, that involve horrific acts against men, boys, and infants. There has also been widespread sexual violence against women and girls. The militias have reportedly committed further violations by targeting civilians fleeing the conflict, executing efforts to prevent those who remain from receiving crucial humanitarian supplies. For an overview of the current humanitarian crisis in Sudan, refer to the Amnesty International report.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has intensified to become one of the most distressing humanitarian crises globally. As of now, it has resulted in over 28,000 deaths, displaced millions, and caused widespread famine, forcing families to resort to eating grass for sustenance. The United Nations anticipates that over 30 million Sudanese people are in urgent need of humanitarian support.
Concurrent with the genocide designation, the United States has imposed sanctions against Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, also known as Hemedti, a prominent RSF leader and former Janjaweed militia head implicated in the Darfur genocide. Sanctions also extend to seven RSF-affiliated companies operating from the UAE. These measures include visa prohibitions affecting Hemedti and his immediate family, designed to restrict their entry into the US. The sanctions target the RSF’s purported gold smuggling operations intended to finance their military endeavors.
Amnesty International joined in condemning the RSF, pointing out rampant looting and attacks targeting civilians in Darfur and other regions of Sudan. Amnesty has advocated for an immediate ceasefire and the unhindered distribution of humanitarian aid. Find more details of Amnesty’s perspective here.
While Secretary Blinken was careful to mention that the US is not siding with any faction in the Sudanese civil war, he specifically called out the RSF for their apparent violations of international humanitarian norms and pledges to safeguard civilians. The origins of the conflict are rooted in disputes over security reforms amid negotiations intended to lead to a transitional government. However, the primarily political struggle has degenerated into a crisis of vast humanitarian proportions. For a detailed view, the original announcement can be viewed on Twitter.