US to impose sanctions on Darfur militia members, may also target Sudan officials

WASHINGTON, June 25 (AFP) — The United States said it would slap punitive sanctions on members of pro-Khartoum militias operating in Sudan’s crisis-wracked western region of Darfur and might also apply penalties to Sudanese officials found to be complicit in atrocities there.

The State Department said the sanctions would be imposed regardless of whether Washington makes a legal determination that the Arab militias, known as Janjawid, or government troops are committing “genocide” in Darfur. Such a determination is now under review.

“Whether you call it genocide or whether you call it ethnic cleansing, clearly there are atrocities being committed,” deputy spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters.

“We are going to identify individual members of the militia, the Janjawid, for sanctions based on their involvement in ethnic cleansing,” he said.

Asked if sanctions might also be imposed on Sudanese government officials who may have links to the militias, Ereli replied: “That’s something we’re looking at.”

Thursday, the US ambassador at-large for war crimes, Pierre Prosper, told lawmakers that there is evidence “genocide” may be taking place in Darfur but that the United States had not yet been able to confirm that.

“I can tell you that we see indicators of genocide and there is evidence that points in that direction,” he said.

Despite the uncertainty, Prosper said Washington had evidence of war crimes committed by seven militia members and associates and identified them by name. “These people need to be investigated and brought to justice,” he said.

Ereli could not say whether the seven people identified by Prosper would be the first targets of the US sanctions — which will likely include a travel ban and a freeze on any assets they may in the United States or under US jurisdiction.

Ereli’s comments came just days ahead of a landmark visit to Khartoum and Darfur next week by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who said he would use the opportunity to press the government to end the crisis.

At least 10,000 people have been killed and up to a million displaced in Darfur since black African rebels rose up in February 2003, accusing Khartoum of discrimination and neglect.