U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken recently issued a statement revealing that both factions involved in the Sudan conflict have perpetrated atrocities in Darfur. He stated that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have both committed grave atrocities since the onset of the Sudan conflict in April.
A news release from the Department of State (DOS) indicated that much of the conflict's impact has affected the civilian population, with both SAF and RSF accused of torturing and killing detainees at their detention sites. The department's information suggests that both groups have committed war crimes in Sudan, with RSF and its affiliates implicated in crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.
Blinken said, "Across Sudan, the RSF and allied militias have terrorized women and girls through sexual violence, attacking them in their homes, kidnapping them from the streets or targeting those trying to flee to safety across the border." He added, "In haunting echoes of the genocide that began almost 20 years ago in Darfur, we have seen an explosion of targeted violence against some of the same survivors’ communities. Masalit civilians have been hunted down and left for dead in the streets, their homes set on fire and told that there is no place in Sudan for them."
The DOS media release also urged these groups to cease fighting in a conflict deemed pointless and responsible for significant human suffering. Furthermore, it appealed to these groups to stop supplying funding and arms to organizations as it does not contribute to any relevant military solution.
Blinken further stated, "Today’s determination does not preclude the possibility of future determinations as additional information about the parties’ actions becomes available." He concluded by saying, "The United States is committed to building on this determination and using available tools to end this conflict and cease committing atrocities and other abuses that are depriving the Sudanese people of freedom, peace, and justice."
