The Fast Help Forces (RSF) and its allied militias are committing genocide in Sudan whereas waging conflict in opposition to the military for management of the nation, Joe Biden’s US administration has decided – two weeks earlier than leaving workplace.
In an announcement sharing the designation on Tuesday, US secretary of state Antony Blinken stated the RSF and its aligned militias had “systematically murdered men and boys – even infants – on an ethnic basis” and “deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence”.
He introduced that Washington would impose sanctions on RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo and 7 RSF-owned firms situated within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo. File pic: AP
The UAE is credibly accused of backing and arming the RSF – one thing it has strenuously denied.
When reached for remark by Reuters, the RSF rejected these measures and stated: “America beforehand punished the good African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, which was incorrect.
“Today, it is rewarding those who started the war by punishing (RSF leader) general Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, which is also wrong.”
The RSF has been preventing Sudan’s military for territorial management of the nation since conflict erupted within the capital, Khartoum, in April 2023.
The following devastation has been described because the worst humanitarian disaster ever recorded – with over 11 million individuals pressured out of their houses, tens of hundreds useless, and 30 million in want of humanitarian help.
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Sudan, Africa
In December 2023, Mr Blinken introduced that each opponents had dedicated conflict crimes, however that the RSF particularly had dedicated crimes in opposition to humanity and ethnic cleaning.
He talked about this precedent on this newest announcement, including: “Today’s action is part of our continued efforts to promote accountability for all warring parties whose actions fuel this conflict.
“America doesn’t assist both aspect of this conflict, and these actions in opposition to Hemedti and the RSF don’t signify assist or favour for the SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces).
“Both belligerents bear responsibility for the violence and suffering in Sudan and lack the legitimacy to govern a future peaceful Sudan.”
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From November: RSF assaults farming villages leaving dozens useless
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This comes twenty years after then US secretary of state Colin Powell described the battle in Darfur, western Sudan, as a genocide in 2004.
Again then, RSF chief Hemedti was heading up a lesser-known Janjaweed militia that was finishing up state-sanctioned atrocities in opposition to civilians.
He was not held accountable then, and plenty of surprise if this newest designation could have any impression on the actions of forces on the bottom.
