Genocide Determination and Sanctions Against RSF
The United States announced on Tuesday that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan.
Washington imposed sanctions on RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, over atrocities that have claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.
The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets held by Hemedti and his family and bar them from entering the United States. Financial institutions engaged in transactions with him also risk penalties. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the RSF’s systematic violence, including ethnic killings, mass sexual assaults, and targeting civilians fleeing the conflict. 
Wave of Atrocities
The RSF has been accused of widespread ethnically driven violence, looting, and abuse across Sudan. Despite its claims of innocence and attributing the violence to rogue elements, evidence, including statements from the U.S. and human rights organizations, paints a damning picture.
In his remarks, Blinken condemned the RSF for deliberately targeting women and girls from specific ethnic groups and systematically murdering men and boys. He called for accountability for the atrocities and highlighted the RSF’s actions as part of a broader humanitarian crisis.
Financial Network and Regional Involvement
Alongside sanctions on Hemedti, the U.S. Treasury targeted seven RSF-owned companies in the UAE for their role in procuring weapons. This financial network, spanning Sudan and neighboring countries, has been instrumental in sustaining the RSF’s operations.
The UAE denies involvement, though reports, including findings by a U.N. panel of experts, suggest otherwise. Dozens of flights from the UAE to Chad have allegedly resupplied the RSF.
A Humanitarian Catastrophe
The conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has devastated the country. More than half of Sudan’s population faces hunger, with famine declared in several areas.
The U.S. has accused both the RSF and the Sudanese army of war crimes, as their power struggle derailed plans for civilian rule.
A Blow to the RSF’s Image
The genocide determination and sanctions strike a significant blow to the RSF’s attempts to gain legitimacy. Cameron Hudson, a former U.S. official at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, remarked that these actions tarnish the RSF’s political viability.
“These designations, the leadership being sanctioned, and the organization committing genocide make it harder to escape that legacy in the future,” Hudson said.
What Lies Ahead?
With only two weeks remaining in President Joe Biden’s term, the sanctions and determinations may not immediately shift the conflict’s dynamics. However, they position the U.S. administration firmly against the RSF’s actions, signaling a commitment to justice and accountability.
Can Sudan overcome this dark chapter, or will these measures fall short in addressing the crisis? Share your thoughts below.
Read More:
