The United States has officially declared that atrocities committed by the Sudanese rebel group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), amount to genocide. This statement comes after over 21 months of brutal conflict in Sudan, during which the RSF and its affiliated militias have caused widespread violence. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that these groups have specifically targeted civilians, murdering men, women, and children, and committing severe sexual violence against women and girls. The violence has been largely based on ethnicity, and many innocent civilians trying to escape the conflict have been attacked. These acts have led to what Blinken described as the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe, with 30 million people in need of aid and over 638,000 people facing famine.
Despite the declaration, Senator Jim Risch expressed frustration with the timing of the U.S. response, noting that the situation in Sudan has been dire for much longer. He pointed out that he had called for the genocide designation and for sanctions against the RSF and its leader, Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa (Hemedti), nearly a year ago. According to Risch, the delayed response has weakened America’s position in the region and has allowed the crisis to continue unabated.
The conflict in Sudan has now reached a point where it threatens not only the stability of the country but also regional security. With rising terrorism risks and migration pressures from displaced people, the U.S. and its allies are urged to act swiftly. This includes working to stop the ongoing violence, address humanitarian needs, and prevent further destabilization of the region, particularly in critical areas like the Red Sea corridor. While the U.S. has sanctioned RSF-affiliated companies and Hemedti, many are questioning why these actions were not taken sooner. The delay in holding the perpetrators accountable has only exacerbated the suffering in Sudan, leaving many to wonder what might have been different if the international community had acted more quickly.
