The United States has imposed sanctions on the deputy leaders of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces Wednesday for alleged murders and rights abuses.
The US Treasury sanctioned RSF senior commander Abdelrahim Hamdan Daglo and the brother of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the paramilitary RSF.
Under Abdelrahim Daglo, the Treasury said, RSF members “have engaged in acts of violence and human rights abuses, including the massacre of civilians, ethnic killings, and use of sexual violence.”
It said that many of the abuses took place in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Dagalo is the first top official on either side to be slapped with international sanctions since the start of the conflict.
The US State Department meanwhile placed RSF general and West Darfur sector commander Abdul Rahman Juma on its blacklist for what it called “his involvement in a gross violation of human rights.”
“According to credible sources, on June 15, 2023, RSF forces led by General Juma kidnapped and killed the governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abbakar, and his brother,” the State Department said.
“Today’s action demonstrates Treasury’s commitment to hold accountable those responsible for serious and extensive human rights abuses in Sudan,” said
Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said: “Today’s action demonstrates Treasury’s commitment to hold accountable those responsible for serious and extensive human rights abuses in Sudan,”
“The United States urges both sides of the conflict to cease the hostilities and violence perpetuating Sudan’s dire humanitarian crisis,” he added.
The US sanctions came as the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces continued to fight for control of the country. Efforts by outside groups have failed to produce a durable ceasefire between the two sides.