US accuses Sudanese militias of genocide in escalating crisis
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has formally accused the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of genocide, alleging that they have been killing civilians from specific ethnic groups. Sanctions have also been imposed on the RSF leader, Hemedti. Sudan is currently experiencing a war that has led to the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
In a statement, Antony Blinken emphasised that "RSF and allied militias have systematically murdered men and boys, even infants, on ethnic grounds." Additionally, women and girls from certain ethnic groups have been targeted for rape and brutal sexual violence.
The same militias have attacked fleeing civilians, killing innocent individuals trying to escape the conflict and preventing remaining civilians from accessing life-saving resources - added Blinken.
In 2023, Washington had already determined that both sides of the civil war in Sudan were committing war crimes; however, the RSF's actions have taken on a genocidal nature. These crimes are concentrated mainly in the Darfur region, where 20 years ago, pro-government militias, known as the Janjaweed, committed similar atrocities.
The US administration has sanctioned the RSF commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and companies from the United Arab Emirates that supply his forces with weapons.
Hemedti, a former camel trader and officer of the Janjaweed, amassed a fortune by taking over a gold mine and now presents himself as a defender of democracy.
War in Sudan. The worst humanitarian disaster in the world
The civil war in Sudan has been ongoing since April 2023, four years after the ousting of dictator Omar al-Bashir. According to US estimates, the conflict has claimed the lives of approximately 150,000 people, and millions have been forced to leave their homes. Washington describes the situation as the worst humanitarian disaster in the world, and the UN indicates that Sudan is currently the only country experiencing a famine.
