U.S. declares genocide in Sudan, sanctions RSF leader

January 7, 2025 (WASHINGTON) – The United States declared on Tuesday that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have committed genocide, citing widespread atrocities against civilians. As a result of this determination, the U.S. imposed sanctions on RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, “Hemetti”.

The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets belonging to Daglo and bar him from entering the United States. Seven RSF-owned companies in the United Arab Emirates and one individual were also sanctioned for procuring weapons for the paramilitary group.

“The RSF and allied militias have systematically murdered men and boys, even infants, on an ethnic basis,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. “They have deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence.”

Blinken stressed that the leader of the RSF, has repeatedly broken commitments to protect Sudanese civilians, including those made in the 2023 Jeddah Declaration and the 2024 Code of Conduct. Despite pledges to allow humanitarian aid and prevent war crimes, the RSF continues to commit atrocities, including sexual violence, and obstruct the delivery of aid, showcasing a disregard for both the Sudanese people and international law.

The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of thousands face famine, millions require aid, and tens of thousands have been killed.

Blinken said the sanctions do not signal support for the SAF. “Both belligerents bear responsibility for the violence and suffering in Sudan,” he said.

The U.S. has committed $30 million to support Sudanese civil society and said it was considering further action to hold perpetrators accountable.