Sudan: RSF Accuses U.S. of Bias Over Sanctions on Leader

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Rapid Support Force (RSF) has accused the United States of bias, arguing that imposing sanction on its leader was not done in good faith, and has since asked for immediate review to rectify the situation.

On Tuesday, the US imposed sanctions on General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the RSF, claiming that the group had committed genocide in Sudan for the last 18 months, leaving thousands of people dead and millions displaced.

With the RSF keen to expand its territory, the sanctions could be a major setback, potentially raising concerns about its legitimacy. The group is fighting against the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), who are currently in charge of the government.

“America previously punished the great African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, which was wrong. Today, it is rewarding those who started the war by punishing (RSF leader) General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, which is also wrong,” said an RSF spokesman when reached for comment.

The war in Sudan has produced waves of ethnically driven violence blamed largely on the RSF. It has also carried out mass looting campaigns across swathes of the country, arbitrarily killing and sexually assaulting civilians in the process, Reuters reports.

Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said the group with its allied militia has continually targeted innocent civilians in its pursuit for power. The militias have also targeted fleeing civilians and murdered innocent people escaping conflict, Blinken said.

“The United States is committed to holding accountable those responsible for these atrocities,” Blinken said.

Dagalo and his family will no longer travel to the US along with his family with all their assets also frozen. Attempts to initiate talks between the RSF and SAF have not borne fruits yet, with the US determined to bring both sides to the table.

“As the overall commander of the RSF, Hemedti bears command responsibility for the abhorrent and illegal actions of his forces,” the Treasury said.

Seven RSF-owned companies located in the United Arab Emirates and one other person were also hit with sanctions over their roles in procuring weapons for the RSF, Blinken said.

GAROWE ONLINE