US says Sudan rebel force has committed genocide and sanctions group’s leaders

The Biden administration said on Tuesday it has determined that Sudan’s Rapid Support Force rebel group and proxies are committing genocide in the country’s civil war and has imposed sanctions on the group’s leaders.

“The RSF and RSF-aligned militias have continued to direct attacks against civilians,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

“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.

“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.”

The sanctions announced by the US include several businesses based in the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, including one handling gold likely smuggled out of Sudan.

The UAE has been repeatedly accused of arming the paramilitary force known as the RSF, something the UAE has strenuously denied despite evidence to the contrary.

Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sudan’s war began in April 2023, when the RSF and Sudan’s military began fighting each other.

Their conflict has killed more than 24,000 people, has forced millions to flee their homes and has left some families eating grass in a desperate attempt to survive as famine sweeps parts of the country.

Other estimates suggest a far higher death toll in the war.