U.S. Accuses Sudanese Paramilitary Group of Genocide
The Biden administration has formally accused the Sudanese paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and its allied militias of committing genocide in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the escalation from previous classifications of war crimes and ethnic cleansing, citing recent reports of systematic violence against civilians.
The conflict, which erupted nearly two years ago between the RSF and Sudan’s military, has been deemed the world’s largest current humanitarian crisis. Blinken stated that the RSF and its proxies have deliberately targeted civilians based on their ethnicity, engaging in widespread murder and sexual violence. Additionally, the militias have reportedly attacked fleeing civilians and obstructed access to essential supplies.
In response to these accusations, the U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, also known as Hemedti, and seven RSF-owned companies based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE has faced allegations of arming the RSF, which it denies.
The conflict has had devastating consequences, with over 28,000 reported deaths and millions displaced. Some regions are now experiencing famine conditions, with desperate civilians resorting to eating grass for survival.
As of now, neither the RSF nor Emirati officials have responded to the sanctions or requests for comment. Blinken emphasized that the genocide determination is aimed at promoting accountability rather than supporting either side in the conflict.
Experts and human rights advocates have welcomed the U.S. government’s actions. John Prendergast, a Sudan expert, highlighted the RSF’s responsibility for severe atrocities and viewed the U.S. actions as a step towards accountability. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum recognized the genocide determination as a significant acknowledgment of the crimes suffered by neglected populations in Sudan.
As the international community grapples with this escalating crisis, the focus remains on ending the violence and providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict.
