US government says war crimes, ethnic cleansing committed in war-torn Sudan
The US State Department on Wednesday has accused both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing war crimes in Sudan.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement said based on the State Department’s careful analysis of the law and available facts, the US has determined that members of the SAF and the RSF have committed war crimes in Sudan.
He added that he also determined that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.
The US top official noted that the determination provides “force and renewed urgency” to African and international efforts to end the war, address the humanitarian and human rights crisis, and work towards meaningful justice for victims and the affected communities, which he said, “ends decades of impunity”.
He added that “today’s determination does not preclude the possibility of future determinations as additional information about the parties’ actions becomes available,” stressing that the US is committed to using available tools to bring the bloodshed to a complete end.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US calls on the international community to “support efforts to protect civilians in Sudan, prevent future atrocities and promote accountability for those responsible for these horrific acts.”
According to the United Nations, the war in Sudan between the army and rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, RSF, has led to the killings of more than 5,000 people and displaced over 5.2 million people.
