US claims genocide by Sudan's Rapid Support Force in ongoing civil war
- The Biden administration has identified the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan as committing acts of genocide against civilians since the conflict's inception.
- Over 28,000 people have died as a result of this civil war, with millions displaced and facing severe humanitarian crises.
- The US has imposed sanctions on RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa and several affiliated companies in response to these human rights abuses.
The civil war in Sudan, which erupted between the nation's military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, has resulted in enormous loss of life and widespread humanitarian suffering. The war is characterized by brutal violence against civilians, with reports indicating that RSF and its aligned militias are targeting individuals based on their ethnic backgrounds. In response to this escalating violence, the Biden administration officially classified the actions of the RSF as genocide, a designation that adds further gravity to the situation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the determination during a statement, highlighting that the RSF has been systematically murdering ethnic groups, including infants and women, and committing acts of sexual violence. The situation has spiraled beyond previous classifications of mere war crimes and ethnic cleansing, marking a significant escalation in the humanitarian crisis that has gripped Sudan. According to estimates, the ongoing conflict has led to over 28,000 deaths, with millions being displaced from their homes, illustrating the dire nature of the circumstances. The sanctions were aimed at RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, known as Hemedti, along with several of the group's affiliated companies operating in the United Arab Emirates. These actions were coupled with calls for accountability, as the RSF has been accused of hindering access to vital supplies for fleeing civilians and creating an environment of fear through massacres. Despite public denials, the UAE has faced accusations of providing military support to the RSF, stoking further international concern. The situation in Sudan demands urgent international attention and action, as continued atrocities pose serious threats to the stability of the region and the safety of its people. Human rights watchdogs have urged the international community to hold the RSF accountable and to leverage these sanctions as a means to promote more serious negotiations for a ceasefire, aiming for an end to the suffering imposed upon civilians caught in the crossfire.