U.S. declares genocide by Sudan’s RSF, sanctions leader Hemedti

The United States has declared that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed genocide during the country’s brutal civil conflict, announcing sanctions against the RSF’s leader, Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemedti, and affiliated businesses.

The U.S. designation follows nearly two years of devastating conflict that erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The fighting has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands of civilians killed, over 30 million in need of aid, and more than 638,000 suffering famine—the worst in Sudan’s history.

In December 2023, the U.S. government accused both the SAF and RSF of war crimes. It also identified crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and other atrocities perpetrated by RSF-aligned militias. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement Tuesday, now attributes systematic genocide to the RSF and its militias.

The atrocities committed by RSF forces, according to the U.S., include targeting civilians on ethnic grounds, mass rape, and the murder of men, boys, and even infants.

Mr Blinken said survivors have reported deliberate sexual violence against women and girls from certain ethnic groups, killings of civilians attempting to flee the conflict, and deliberate blockades preventing access to lifesaving supplies.

Mass rape

The U.S. sanction bars Hemedti and his immediate family from entry into the United States under Section 7031(c) for gross human rights violations, including mass rape in Darfur. The sanctions also target seven RSF-owned companies in the UAE and one individual linked to the group’s weapons procurement.

Hemedti’s leadership, the U.S. noted, violated international humanitarian law, the 2023 Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect Civilians, and a 2024 peace code under the Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan initiative, agreements that included halting war crimes and ensuring access to humanitarian aid.

The U.S. said its actions do not favour either warring side, condemning both the RSF and SAF for atrocities and deeming them illegitimate to govern Sudan’s future. Washington pledged $30 million in December 2024 to support democratic and peace-building initiatives. It said further sanctions and actions remain under consideration to increase pressure on conflict perpetrators.