KEY POINTS
- U.S. condemns Sudan’s RSF for civilian attacks and abuses.
- New sanctions are likely on those perpetuating Sudan’s violence.
- Sudan’s humanitarian crisis intensifies as conflict continues.
In a statement released Tuesday, the State Department said that the United States denounced recent attacks on civilians by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and urged the group to stop its violent campaign. With thousands of civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis as a result of an ongoing confrontation between the RSF and Sudan’s military, the statement highlights U.S. concerns about the country’s intensifying violence.
U.S. condemns Rapid Support Forces’ violence in Sudan
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “The United States calls on the Rapid Support Forces to cease hostilities against non-combatants and condemns these targeted attacks on civilians.” Miller also reiterated the U.S. government’s position against any actors who continue to carry out atrocities in Sudan during a news briefing, threatening that the U.S. will not hold back from enforcing sanctions or other harsh actions.
According to Reuters, the ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, which started in April, has displaced more than a million people. It has also affected basic services like healthcare and access to food and water, especially in the capital, Khartoum, and the Darfur area. Both sides have documented numerous instances of civilian deaths and violations, such as extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual assault, leading international organizations and human rights organizations to strongly condemn the brutality.
U.S. urges peace talks to end hostilities in Sudan
Miller underlined that the U.S. will “continue to impose costs” on people or organisations who incite atrocities, raising the prospect of more sanctions against RSF leaders and backers who incite violence. The Biden administration has already imposed sanctions on a number of Sudanese military and paramilitary figures, and authorities warn that additional punishments may follow if the violence against civilians continues.
The United States has urged all sides to engage in negotiation over armed conflict, while U.N. officials and international observers have issued warnings about possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan. The United States said it is dedicated to assisting peace efforts and offering humanitarian relief to civilians in Sudan caught in the crossfire, working with regional and international allies.
The United States urges an immediate end to violence against civilians and restates its support for the people of Sudan.
