US says 'genocide' taking place in Sudan as it sanctions RSF chief Hemeti
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday that he has determined a genocide is taking place in Sudan, perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their leader, Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, commonly known as Hemeti.
As a result, the US has now sanctioned Hemeti for his role in "systematic atrocities" against the Sudanese people. That designation will also extend to the immediate members of his family who will no longer be eligible to enter the US.
This means any property and interests linked to Hemeti in the US are now blocked, and no US citizens or residents are permitted to do business with him.
Since 15 April 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF has resulted in what Washington has called "the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe," leaving 638,000 Sudanese in conditions of famine, over 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, and tens of thousands dead.
In a statement, Blinken described it as "a conflict of unmitigated brutality."
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
"The RSF and allied militias have 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 said.
"Those same militias have targeted fleeing civilians, murdering innocent people escaping conflict, and prevented remaining civilians from accessing lifesaving supplies."
"Based on this information, I have now concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan," Blinken wrote.
Tuesday’s US sanctions further extended to seven RSF-owned companies located in the United Arab Emirates, Blinken said.
A statement from the US Department of the Treasury identified those companies as Capital Tap Holding LLC; Capital Tap Management Consultancies LLC; Capital Tap General Trading LLC; Creative Python LLC; Al Zumoroud and Al Yaqoot Gold & Jewellers LLC; Al Jil Al Qadem General Trading LLC; and Horizon Advanced Solutions General Trading LLC.
All are accused of obfuscating Hemeti's business dealings to avoid previously applied US sanctions on the RSF.
The US additionally sanctioned one individual, identified as Sudanese national Abu Dharr Abdul Nabi Habiballa Ahmmed, who is named as the owner and manager of Capital Tap Holding.
"The United States does not support either side of this war, and these actions against Hemeti and the RSF do not signify support or favour for the SAF," Blinken said.
"Both belligerents bear responsibility for the violence and suffering in Sudan and lack the legitimacy to govern a future peaceful Sudan. The United States continues to evaluate additional actions to impose costs on those perpetuating the conflict and atrocities against the Sudanese people."
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
