By Blessing Chinagorom
The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has concluded that since outbreak of fighting on April 15, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have unleashed horrific violence, death, and destruction across Sudan.
Blinken’s remarks in a statement released on Wednesday revealed that the civilians have borne the brunt of this needless Sudan’s conflict while detainees have been abused and some killed at SAF and RSF detention sites.
He 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.
“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”, Secretary of State grieved.
Based on the State Department’s careful analysis of the law and available facts, Blinken said he has determined that members of the SAF and the RSF have committed war crimes in Sudan.
“I have also determined that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. The expansion of the needless conflict between RSF and the SAF caused grievous human suffering”, he said.
The Secretary urged the SAF and the RSF to stop this conflict now, appealed to them to comply with obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and hold accountable those responsible for atrocities.
He asked them to adhere to commitments made to allow unhindered humanitarian assistance and implement confidence building measures that can lead to a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
US’s Blinken stated that arms and funding flowing to the warring parties only prolong a conflict that has no acceptable military solution.
“This determination provides force and renewed urgency to African, international efforts to end the violence, address the humanitarian and human rights crisis, and work towards meaningful justice for victims and affected communities that ends decades of impunity.
“Today’s determination does not preclude the possibility of future determinations as additional information about the parties’ actions becomes available.
“The United States is committed to building on this determination and using available tools to end conflict and cease committing the atrocities and other abuses that are depriving the Sudanese people of freedom, peace, and justice”, he added.
Reacting to this determination during Press briefing, the State Department Spokesman, Mathew Miller said for too long, the forces of belligerents have killed, raped, and attacked civilians with impunity in Sudan.
He added that the international community must work towards meaningful justice for victims and the affected communities and bring an end to this era of impunity.
“As we work with our African partners, the United States calls on all countries to support efforts to protect civilians in Sudan, prevent future atrocities, and promote accountability for those responsible for these horrific acts.
He noted that since the outbreak of this conflict, the United States stands with the Sudanese people, who did not ask for this war, in support of their rightful demands for a transition to democracy and freedom, peace, and justice. “We will use all the tools at our disposal to support these aims”.