The United States has declared that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and affiliated militias are committing genocide amidst the country’s ongoing civil war. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the findings on Tuesday, stating that the RSF has carried out systematic attacks against civilians based on ethnic targeting.
“The RSF and allied militias have committed atrocities, including the systematic killing of men, boys, and even infants, along with the brutal sexual violence against women and girls from specific ethnic groups,” Blinken said.
The atrocities also include targeting fleeing civilians and obstructing access to essential humanitarian supplies. Based on this information, Blinken confirmed that members of the RSF and their proxies have perpetrated genocide in Sudan.
In response, the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on RSF leaders and affiliated entities, including several businesses based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). One of the sanctioned companies is accused of handling gold smuggled out of Sudan.
The UAE, often accused of providing arms to the RSF, has consistently denied these allegations despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Emirati officials have not yet commented on the sanctions.
The move underscores growing international condemnation of the RSF’s role in Sudan’s humanitarian crisis and the US commitment to holding those responsible for such crimes accountable.