U.S. Declares Genocide by Sudan’s RSF Amid Civil War

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that the RSF paramilitary group in Sudan committed genocide during the civil war. This is the second genocide in Sudan in 30 years. Sanctions and visa restrictions were placed on RSF leader Hemedti for systemic human rights violations, as both the RSF and SAF bear responsibility for the violence.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have committed genocide during the ongoing civil war, which has persisted for over a year. This declaration marks the second incidence of genocide in Sudan in less than thirty years, following the tragic events in Darfur during the early 2000s. Previously, Blinken determined that both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the two primary belligerents in the conflict that escalated in April 2023, had perpetrated crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

In his statement, Blinken highlighted that RSF-affiliated militias have targeted civilians for systematic attacks, including the murder of men, boys, and even infants based on their ethnic identities. The militias have also been responsible for sexual violence against women and girls from specific ethnic groups. He further elaborated that these groups have conducted attacks on those attempting to flee the violence, as well as obstructing access to essential supplies for remaining civilians. Blinken concluded that these actions amount to genocide committed by the RSF and its allied forces.

In response to these findings, the United States imposed sanctions and visa restrictions on RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, more commonly known as Hemedti. These measures are said to be in response to systemic atrocities against the Sudanese populace, especially focusing on the mass rapes executed by RSF soldiers under Hemedti’s command. Blinken emphasized that the United States does not endorse either faction in the conflict, reinforcing that both the RSF and SAF share culpability for the violence afflicting Sudan and lack the legitimacy to govern the country moving forward. He indicated that the U.S. is considering further actions to hold accountable those responsible for the ongoing crisis.

The civil war in Sudan has escalated since April 2023, primarily involving the RSF and SAF as key combatants. The RSF, a paramilitary group that emerged from the Janjaweed militias involved in the Darfur conflict, has been accused of committing severe human rights violations, including genocide. The recent classification of acts committed by the RSF as genocide follows a historical context in which Sudan has witnessed previous large-scale atrocities, particularly in Darfur in the early 2000s, leading to serious international concern and interventions. The U.S. government’s latest actions highlight its ongoing commitment to address human rights abuses in conflict zones.

In summary, the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has officially classified the actions of the RSF as genocide amid the civil conflict in Sudan, marking a significant escalation in recognition of the humanitarian crisis. The recent sanctions imposed on RSF leader Hemedti underscore the gravity of the situation and the U.S. government’s stance of holding accountable those perpetuating violence in Sudan. Both the RSF and the SAF are deemed responsible for the atrocities, and their legitimacy to govern in the future is fundamentally questioned.

Original Source: www.cnn.com