The United States has officially accused the Sudanese paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), of committing genocide and has implemented sanctions against its leader.
In a statement on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, faces penalties due to his involvement in systematic atrocities against the Sudanese populace throughout a 20-month conflict.
Blinken outlined that the RSF and its allied militias are responsible for horrific acts, including the murder of men, boys, and infants, as well as widespread sexual violence against women, driven by ethnic hatred. The militias have also been reported to target civilians attempting to flee the violence.
“Based on this information, I have concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan,” Blinken stated.
In a swift response, the RSF criticized the US for perceived double standards and inadequate handling of the ongoing crisis. Hemedti’s adviser, El-Basha Tbaeq, expressed that the sanctions reflect the Biden administration’s failure to effectively address the Sudanese conflict, potentially complicating negotiations aimed at resolving its root causes.
Since April 2023, the RSF has been engaged in a violent struggle against the Sudanese military, which has led to widespread condemnation regarding their conduct during the conflict. Previous assessments by US authorities deemed the RSF and other militias accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly in the western Darfur region where they have reportedly targeted non-Arab populations.
Both factions in the conflict have been linked to numerous atrocities, exacerbating what is regarded as one of the gravest humanitarian crises in recent history. Estimates indicate that the ongoing violence may have resulted in the deaths of approximately 150,000 people.
Experts reveal alarming figures, with famine being declared in several regions, leaving around 24.6 million Sudanese—nearly half the population—in urgent need of food assistance. Blinken emphasized that neither the RSF nor the Sudanese military is suited to govern the nation, stating that both parties share responsibility for the ongoing violence and lack legitimacy to lead a peaceful Sudan.
The newly imposed sanctions prohibit Hemedti and his immediate family from entering the US while freezing any personal assets they may hold. Furthermore, seven companies linked to the RSF in the UAE, as well as one additional individual, are sanctioned for aiding the group in procuring weapons. While the UAE denies funding the RSF, many of the sanctioned companies are associated with the lucrative gold trade, with one firm, AZ Gold, known for importing Sudanese gold.
Reports indicate that Hemedti and the RSF dominate some of Sudan’s richest gold mines, with the sanctions now extending to all three Dagalo brothers involved in RSF operations.
Criticism has mounted against the US for not doing enough to resolve the conflict, highlighting this significant move as the outgoing Biden administration’s attempt to make a decisive intervention. This action is likely to garner bipartisan support from Congress and signal to incoming leadership how the US perceives the RSF’s activities.
Though immediate impacts on battlefield dynamics remain uncertain, these actions are expected to increase pressure on regional allies to sever ties with the RSF and remain cautious about business engagements with the group. Additionally, it may complicate efforts to establish governance in RSF-controlled areas.
The RSF currently exerts control over approximately 50% of Sudan, including key regions such as Darfur and Khartoum, while the Sudanese military has retreated to Port Sudan in the east. The prospects for renewed ceasefire talks remain ambiguous, although recent indications suggest the army might consider Turkish mediation in collaboration with the UAE.
