G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
The United States has taken a significant step in addressing the ongoing conflict in Sudan by accusing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing genocide and imposing sanctions on its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti. The decision marks a pivotal intervention by the US, as it seeks to hold accountable those responsible for widespread atrocities in the country. The announcement was made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who condemned the systematic violence carried out by the RSF and its allied militias during the brutal 20-month conflict in Sudan.
Blinken detailed the horrific acts committed by the RSF, which included the targeted killing of men, boys, and even infants, alongside brutal sexual violence inflicted on women based on their ethnic identity. He further revealed that civilians attempting to flee the violence were also hunted down and killed. Based on the mounting evidence, Blinken stated that the RSF had committed acts of genocide, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing in Sudan, particularly in the western Darfur region, where non-Arab communities were targeted and massacred.
The RSF, however, has denied the allegations, accusing the US of double standards in dealing with the Sudanese crisis. In a statement on X, Hemedti’s adviser, El-Basha Tbaeq, criticized the Biden administration for what he termed as a failure to address the root causes of the conflict and suggested that the sanctions would complicate efforts to reach a peaceful resolution. The RSF has been embroiled in a fierce battle with Sudan’s military since April 2023, leading to one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. Famine has gripped several regions, with more than 24 million people in desperate need of food aid, and estimates suggest that up to 150,000 lives have been lost in the conflict.
The US sanctions against Hemedti include travel bans and the freezing of any personal assets within the country. His immediate family members and several RSF-linked companies based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also been sanctioned. The sanctioned companies, particularly those involved in the lucrative gold trade, have been accused of facilitating the RSF's access to funds and weapons. The US Treasury highlighted that Hemedti’s brother, Algoney Dagalo, maintained control over bank accounts linked to gold trade companies in the UAE that held millions of dollars in assets.
The UAE, which has faced repeated accusations of funding and arming the RSF, denied any involvement in supporting the paramilitary group. In a statement, UAE authorities reaffirmed their commitment to combating financial crimes and protecting the integrity of the global financial system. Despite these assurances, the sanctions are expected to impact the RSF’s business operations and limit their ability to procure weapons through international channels.
The designation of genocide against the RSF is seen as a bold move by the outgoing Biden administration and could receive bipartisan support from Congress. The timing of the decision may also signal to the incoming Trump administration the seriousness with which the US views the RSF’s actions in Sudan. Although Hemedti is not believed to have significant assets in the US, the sanctions are expected to pressure regional allies to distance themselves from the RSF and reconsider any business dealings with the group.
The sanctions are unlikely to bring an immediate halt to the ongoing fighting in Sudan, where the RSF controls nearly half of the country, including Darfur and parts of Khartoum. However, the designation raises questions about the future of governance in RSF-controlled areas and the legitimacy of any administration established under their control. The Sudanese army, now based in Port Sudan, has signaled a willingness to engage in ceasefire talks, with recent reports suggesting that Turkey may mediate between Sudan and the UAE.
While it remains uncertain whether these sanctions will lead to renewed peace negotiations, the US move sends a strong message about its stance on the crisis. The genocide designation will undoubtedly increase international scrutiny of the RSF’s actions and may influence other nations and organizations to take similar measures. For now, the conflict in Sudan continues to devastate the population, and the humanitarian crisis shows no signs of abating.
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