The US announced sanctions on Tuesday against Algoney Hamdan Daglo Musa, a senior leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), for his role in fueling war and atrocities against civilians. The State Department’s statement said Algoney was sanctioned for assisting the RSF in procuring weapons and military supplies that have enabled the group’s ongoing operations, including their assault on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.
Algoney’s actions were cited as contributing to the war and RSF-led atrocities, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing. The statement highlighted the RSF’s continued involvement in violence, including sexual assaults and ethnically targeted attacks on non-Arab groups.
The US reaffirmed its commitment to holding those responsible for the conflict accountable, stating it will continue using available measures to support peace efforts and impose consequences on those fueling the violence.
Clashes between the Sudanese army and RSF have persisted in El Fasher since May 10, despite global warnings, with the city serving as a critical hub for humanitarian operations in Darfur. The conflict between the army and RSF, ongoing since mid-April last year, has claimed 18,800 lives and displaced around 10 million people, according to the UN.