US sanctions Sudanese militia leader for perpetuating civil war
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US Treasury Department on Tuesday announced the sanctioning of a leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for perpetuating the civil war in the East African country.
The sanctions against Abdel Rahman Joma’a Barakallah (Barakallah), the RSF West Darfur Commander, follow the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions against of two RSF commanders on 8 November, the US Department of State said in a press release.
The UN has designated both Barakallah and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed (Hamid) for their roles in leading the RSF as it carried out ethnic cleansing and committed human rights violations.
The press release said Barakallah is also subject to U.S. visa restrictions for his involvement in gross violations of human rights, namely the kidnapping and killing of the lawful governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abbakar. The Treasury Department has already designated Hamid in May 2024.
“The United States welcomes the UN Security Council’s action on November 8, which demonstrates its readiness to hold to account those responsible for abuses against civilians in Darfur,” it said.
“Today’s action is part of the United States’ persistent effort to support the Sudanese people and use the tools at our disposal to impose costs on those committing atrocities and perpetuating the conflict,” the press release added.
The UN’s top political affairs official told the Security Council on Tuesday that the people of Sudan face an ever-deepening crisis as the relentless war between rival militaries pushes the country further into chaos, underscoring that a ceasefire and a negotiated political solution remain the only viable path to peace.
“Sudan is trapped in a nightmare,” Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told ambassadors, echoing the grim declaration made by the Secretary-General two weeks ago.
The latest surge in violence has been especially brutal, notably eastern Aj Gezira State, where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched assaults described by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as among the most severe of the war so far.
Civilians have borne the brunt of these offensives, with countless lives lost, homes destroyed and communities displaced. Reports also indicate shocking violations of human rights, including widespread sexual violence against women and girls.
Ms. DiCarlo condemned not only the RSF attacks but also the indiscriminate airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in civilian-populated areas such as the capital Khartoum and El Fasher, a major city in North Darfur hosting thousands of internally displaced which has been besieged for months by the RSF.
-0- PANA MA 13Nov2024
