US Senate considers sanctions against Sudan RSF leader
An open letter to US President Joe Biden has called for sanctions against Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its leader, according to Asharq Al-Awsat on 21st April.
The accusations against General Mohamed Hamdan ‘Hemedti’ Dagalo and the RSF for the multiple violations of human rights led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to formally ask Biden what his stance on the matter was.
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The Senate’s actions follow the first anniversary of warfare between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
Part of the letter requested “a determination pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act of whether Sudan’s RSF and its Commander have engaged in…gross violations of internationally recognised human rights,” against those who attempt to expose illegal activity by government officials.
The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (GMHRAA) enables sanctions against foreign persons who dismiss and degrade human rights.
Biden was urged to decide whether the RSF is deserving of sanctions under the GMHRAA by examining their financial networks and revenue sources, such as smuggling, gold, and involvement with Russia and the Wagner Group.
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In September 2023, General Dagalo’s brother was sanctioned by the US as a leader of the RSF, Reuters reported.
The Senate’s letter also detailed an account of RSF uniform-clad gunmen who kidnapped and killed human rights activist and lawyer, Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah and his colleague Adam Omer in Nyala, South Sudan.
Similarly, the governor of West Darfur was assassinated while he was in the custody of the RSF, just hours after he criticised the RSF for “genocide” in a television interview.
Journalists have also been targeted by the RSF, and many civilians have been arbitrarily detained including political activists.
The RSF has recently slaughtered dozens and injured hundreds of civilians in an attack just south of Khartoum.
AA/Reuters
