On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken officially declared that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have committed genocide during the ongoing civil conflict, marking a grim chapter in Sudan’s history. This declaration follows the tragic legacy of the Darfur genocide in the early 2000s, making it the second such case of genocide in Sudan in less than 30 years.
Atrocities and Impact of the Civil War
Blinken’s statement highlighted the RSF’s brutal actions, which include ethnically motivated massacres targeting men, boys, and infants, along with widespread sexual violence against women and girls. The RSF and its allies have also been accused of murdering fleeing civilians and obstructing the delivery of essential humanitarian aid.
The civil war, which began in April 2023 between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has caused catastrophic consequences, resulting in over 28,000 deaths and displacing millions of Sudanese. The conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with famine affecting large areas of the country. Over 30 million people are in urgent need of aid, and some families have resorted to eating grass to survive.
US Sanctions and International Response
In response to the genocide declaration, the U.S. imposed sanctions on key RSF leaders, including Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa (Hemedti), the RSF leader, and seven companies linked to the group. Hemedti, a former Janjaweed militia leader involved in the Darfur genocide, now faces travel bans alongside his immediate family. U.S. sanctions also target the RSF’s alleged involvement in gold smuggling to fund its operations.
Amnesty International has condemned the ongoing violence, particularly the looting and attacks on civilians in Darfur, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unrestricted access for humanitarian assistance.
Conflict Origins and US Stance
The war’s origins trace back to tensions over security sector reforms during the transition to a civilian government, but it has rapidly escalated into widespread destruction. While the U.S. maintains a neutral stance in terms of supporting either side, Blinken emphasized the RSF’s violation of international humanitarian law, particularly its failure to protect civilians, in its pursuit of power.
This declaration of genocide and the accompanying sanctions represent a significant step by the U.S. in holding accountable those responsible for atrocities in Sudan, with global efforts now focused on addressing the crisis and ensuring humanitarian aid can reach those in desperate need.
