US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently expressed grave concern over the actions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. Blinken said these forces, along with allied militias, are responsible for crimes of genocide. According to its press release, these attacks systematically target specific ethnic groups.
In his recent statements, Blinken recalled previous war crimes committed by the RSF, adding that even more horrific crimes have been witnessed. “Based on this information, I conclude that members of the RSF and allied militias committed genocide in Sudan,” he said.
The massacres committed by the FSR were also highlighted by the Secretary of State. These groups are accused of direct and systematic attacks against civilians, part of a campaign of ethnic cleansing whose survivors suffer exploitation, repeated rapes, and other forms of violence. “These attacks are systematic and part of a campaign of ethnic cleansing,” he added.
Antony Blinken also announced that General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the FSR, was added to the sanctions list because of his role in these attacks. He called for those responsible to be brought to justice, thereby increasing international pressure on the perpetrators of these crimes.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been the scene of clashes between the regular army and the RSF. These fighting stem from disagreements over military reform and the integration of the FSR into the regular army. Despite attempts at mediation, no ceasefire was sustained.
The United Nations has described the situation in Sudan as one of the worst humanitarian crises today. The number of deaths since the start of the conflict is estimated at more than 20,000, with more than 3 million displaced internationally and 9 million internally. In total, 25 million people require urgent humanitarian assistance.
As reported by Anadolu and translated from Turkish by Sanaa Amir, this information highlights the urgency of a coordinated international response to address this crisis. Senegal, like other African nations, may be particularly concerned about regional stability and the possible reception of refugees.
