For their actions in the ongoing fight, two generals from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) may face sanctions from the UN Security Council. This would be the first time penalties have been applied to the present war.
Diplomats told Reuters that the US has formally proposed asset freezes and travel restrictions for RSF West Darfur Commander Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla and RSF Chief of Operations Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed.
The designations will be confirmed if, by Friday afternoon, the 15-member Sudan sanctions committee does not receive any objections.
The RSF is accused of widespread violations of human rights during the Sudanese conflict, which broke out in mid-April of last year and has been characterized by violence motivated by ethnic hatred. These accusations are refuted by the RSF.
Millions of people have been forced to from their homes and about 25 million are in need of relief as a result of the fighting.
Although the Security Council has previously sanctioned individuals for the Darfur crisis in the early 2000s, the proposed penalties would be the first that the U.N. has imposed in respect to the present conflict.
