US Condemns RSF For Human Rights Violations, Sexual Violence And Murder

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/UNSPLASH

JAKARTA - The United States condemns human rights abuses, torture and the horrific violence that is taking place in Sudan and carried out by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allied militias.

In addition, there are reports of sexual violence and murder due to ethnicities carried out by RSF.

"The recitation that took place today in West Darfur and other areas reminded of the horrific events that led the US in 2004 to conclude that genocide had occurred in Darfur," the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

"We specifically condemn the murder of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abbakar on June 14 after he accused RSF and other forces of committing genocide."

The African country, which was plagued by violence, was again hit by weeks of violence between Sudanese soldiers and RSF militias two months after the conflict broke out.

In the Geneina area alone, nearly 1,100 civilians have died, local groups said.

The United Nations revealed that around 273,000 people fled West Darfur.

When the occupation took place in Darfur, mainly due to the RSF and the militias allied to it, the parties must be held accountable for the atrocities that occurred there, the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The US also accused the Sudanese armed forces of failing to protect civilians and ignite conflict by encouraging the mobilization of tribes.

The US called on both sides to hold a ceasefire in Darfru, control their army, and hold accountable those responsible for violence or atrocities, in addition to ensuring the much-needed humanitarian aid could be sent there.

In recent months, disagreements have emerged between the two sides regarding the integration of RSF into the armed forces. Already, the main requirement in the Sudanese transition agreement with political groups.

Sudan has not had a functional government since October 2021 when the military dissolved Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's transitional government and declared a state of emergency which was later denounced as a "coup" by various political powers.

The transition period, which began in August 2021 after President Omar al-Bashir was ousted, will end once the general election is held in early 2024.