Sudan war: US sanctions two Rapid Support Forces commanders for Darfur operations
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions on two commanders of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Ali Yagoub Gibril and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, for their role leading RSF operations in Darfur.
The RSF military operation to encircle and besiege El Fasher, North Darfur, has endangered the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians, a press release by Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US State Department said.
"Attacks by the RSF, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied forces have caused civilian casualties and must immediately cease, as should the external support for warring parties," the US said.
It added that all impediments to humanitarian access – at a time when millions are at risk of starvation due to conflict – must be removed.
"The Sudanese people demand and deserve peace and a return to civilian government."
The press release said the US will continue to use the tools at its disposal to support the peace process and impose costs on those perpetuating the conflict.
"We stand ready to take additional measures against those individuals and institutions that actively escalate the war – including any offensive actions on El Fasher – commit atrocities, or create barriers to humanitarian access, in violation of international humanitarian law and commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration," the US said.
Many efforts by regional and international bodies, as well as countries to end the war between the RSF and SAF, which started in April last year, have failed.
-0- PANA MA 15May2024
