The United States has accused the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing genocide and imposed sanctions on its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the RSF was responsible for systematic atrocities during the 20-month-long conflict in Sudan, including the mass murder of men, boys, and even infants, as well as brutal sexual violence against women, motivated by ethnic hatred. He also cited the targeting of fleeing civilians and the killing of innocent people trying to escape the violence.
“The actions of the RSF and its allied militias amount to genocide in Sudan,” Blinken said.
In response, the RSF rejected the accusations, accusing the US of double standards and mishandling the crisis. Hemedti’s advisor, El-Basha Tbaeq, claimed that the sanctions would further complicate the situation and hinder peace efforts.
The RSF, which has been engaged in a violent conflict with the Sudanese military since April 2023, has faced increasing scrutiny for its role in the humanitarian disaster. In May, the US Special Envoy for Sudan estimated that up to 150,000 people had died in the conflict, which has caused widespread famine affecting millions.
The US sanctions specifically target Hemedti and his immediate family, barring them from entering the US and freezing any assets they hold there. Additionally, seven RSF-affiliated companies in the UAE, along with one individual, are also facing penalties for their role in procuring weapons for the group.
Blinken emphasized that neither the RSF nor the Sudanese military is fit to govern the country, stating that both parties bear responsibility for the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis.