Sudan rejects U.S. criticism of military, demands RSF condemnation

April 25, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs fired back on Thursday against U.S. criticism of the Sudanese military. The Ministry condemned what it called the U.S’s “unequal treatment” of the situation in Darfur.

On Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller denounced the Sudanese military’s alleged indiscriminate air attacks and restrictions on humanitarian aid access. He additionally warned of the potential consequences of a looming Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attack on El Fasher, North Darfur.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry’s statement disputed the U.S. accusations. It claimed the US ignored the potential future attack by the RSF, which they believe would displace hundreds of thousands in El Fasher. They further argued that the U.S. failed to acknowledge the documented atrocities committed by the RSF against civilians in El Geneina, Wad Madani, and Al-Jazirah State.

The Sudanese Ministry’s press release rejected the “false equivalence” created by the US statement, which they believe fails to distinguish between the “armed forces, the national army,” and the “terrorist militia” of the RSF, which they claim is comprised of foreign mercenaries.

The Ministry also denied allegations of indiscriminate bombing and obstructing humanitarian aid. They asserted that the RSF is responsible for targeting and hindering aid deliveries.

Sudan calls for clearer U.S. stance

The statement highlighted recent UN reports condemning the RSF’s human rights violations. The Ministry expressed surprise at the US’s reluctance to directly condemn the RSF without mentioning the Sudanese military.

The statement concluded by urging the U.S. to either “support the armed forces and the Sudanese people in the battle against militia terrorism” or to “stop making baseless accusations against the Sudanese National Army.”