Sudan’s RSF Labeled as Perpetrators of Genocide by US, Sanctions Announced

Er Mukesh Singh

The United States has formally accused the Sudanese paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), of committing genocide during the ongoing 20-month conflict in Sudan. In a statement on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned RSF’s actions, stating that the group, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, was responsible for a series of brutal atrocities against Sudanese civilians.

According to Blinken, the RSF and its allied militias have systematically carried out horrific acts, including the murder of men, boys, and even infants, as well as committing sexual violence targeting women based on their ethnic identities. The paramilitary forces are also accused of deliberately targeting civilians trying to flee the violence and killing innocent individuals who were attempting to escape the conflict zones.

“Based on this information, I have now concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan,” Blinken stated.

In response to these grave allegations, the US has imposed sanctions on Hemedti and other key leaders of the RSF, aiming to hold them accountable for their actions. Blinken emphasized that these sanctions were part of the broader US efforts to prevent further atrocities and encourage accountability in the Sudanese conflict.

The announcement of these sanctions comes amidst ongoing international calls for justice and accountability in Sudan, as the country continues to grapple with widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life due to the conflict.

In response to the US sanctions and genocide accusations, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have rejected the allegations, accusing the Biden administration of double standards in addressing the ongoing Sudanese crisis. Hemedti’s adviser, El-Basha Tbaeq, criticized the sanctions, saying they reflect the US’s failure to address the root causes of the conflict and further complicate peace efforts. Tbaeq took to social media, asserting that the US’s stance is detrimental to negotiations aimed at resolving the crisis.

Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, the RSF has been embroiled in a brutal war with the Sudanese military, leading to a series of atrocities committed by both sides. The RSF, accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing, especially in the western Darfur region, has been linked to the deaths of thousands, with non-Arab communities among the primary targets.

The ongoing conflict has caused widespread devastation, leaving Sudan in the midst of one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. As of May 2025, estimates suggest that up to 150,000 people have lost their lives due to the fighting. The famine declared in several parts of the country has left nearly half the population—around 24.6 million people—relying on emergency food aid to survive.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the gravity of the situation, saying neither the RSF nor Sudan’s military should hold power in the country. “Both belligerents bear responsibility for the violence and suffering in Sudan and lack the legitimacy to govern a future peaceful Sudan,” Blinken emphasized.

As part of its measures, the US has imposed sanctions on Hemedti, blocking him and his immediate family members from entering the country and freezing any personal assets they may hold in the US. Additionally, seven RSF-owned companies based in the UAE, along with one other individual linked to the group’s weapon procurement efforts, have been sanctioned. These measures are aimed at curbing the RSF’s ability to finance its operations and hold leaders accountable for their role in the ongoing violence in Sudan.

In addition to targeting RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), the US has imposed sanctions on seven RSF-owned companies based in the United Arab Emirates and one individual. These entities are accused of assisting the paramilitary group in procuring weapons, further fueling the violence and atrocities in Sudan. The sanctions are part of the US’s broader effort to disrupt the RSF’s ability to sustain its operations and hold those involved in the conflict accountable. The move also underscores the international community’s growing concern over the RSF’s role in perpetuating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The sanctions on RSF-owned companies and individuals in the UAE reflect the US’s broader strategy to cut off financial and logistical support for the Rapid Support Forces. These companies, allegedly involved in arms procurement, are accused of directly aiding the RSF’s military campaign, which has been responsible for widespread violence, displacement, and suffering in Sudan.

The sanctions are intended to send a strong message to both the RSF leadership and those enabling its actions, signaling that international support for such groups will not be tolerated. The UAE, a key regional player, has faced scrutiny for its role in facilitating arms trade and other forms of support to Sudanese militias. By targeting these businesses and individuals, the US hopes to weaken the RSF’s ability to continue its aggressive tactics and contribute to the wider diplomatic push for peace.

The international community, including the US, has been ramping up efforts to address Sudan’s ongoing conflict, and these measures are aimed at pressuring both sides of the war to halt the violence and engage in meaningful negotiations. Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire, with millions displaced and countless lives lost. The sanctions are just one piece of a larger international strategy to restore stability and bring justice to the victims of the conflict.

Courtesy: PBS NewsHour

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