US Declares Sudan’s Paramilitary Forces Committed Genocide: Civil War Atrocities
The United States has officially accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces of committing genocide in the country’s ongoing civil war, making it the second time in less than 30 years that such atrocities have taken place in Sudan. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, made the declaration on Tuesday while also imposing sanctions on RSF commander Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemedti, for his role in what he described as “systematic atrocities”, many of which occurred in west Darfur.
Genocide Declaration
Blinken stated that months of deliberation had led to the conclusion that members of the RSF and allied militias had committed genocide in Sudan. He highlighted a pattern of systematic ethnic violence, detailing how the RSF had killed civilians as they tried to escape and blocked access to essential supplies.
Paramilitary Forces Background
The RSF, an offshoot of the Janjaweed militias responsible for atrocities in Darfur in the 2000s, was deployed by former Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019 to suppress pro-democracy protesters during Sudan’s revolution. The breakdown of an alliance between Hemedti and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Sudanese army general who led the ruling transitional council, led to a devastating civil war in 2023.
Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, a mass famine, and displacement of millions of people. Recent reports indicate continued violence, with civilians being targeted by both sides, leaving many wounded and in critical condition.
The US has imposed sanctions not only on Hemedti but also on several entities linked to him, including companies in the UAE that provided support to the RSF. The treasury department announced comprehensive measures, including visa restrictions to prevent Hemedti and his family from entering the United States.
The genocide determination, coupled with previous findings of war crimes and crimes against humanity, may lead to further international action against the RSF and its supporters. The situation in Sudan remains dire, with ongoing violence and a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention and intervention from the global community.
As I sat down to write this article, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness and outrage at the atrocities being committed in Sudan. The stories of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of this brutal conflict are heart-wrenching. It’s crucial that we shine a light on these dark events and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Let us hope that justice will prevail, and peace will soon return to the people of Sudan.