While we appreciate this determination, more has to happen to end the suffering in Sudan
No Business With Genocide (NBWG) applauds the United States’ official determination of genocide in Sudan and the new sanctions targeting those responsible. This acknowledgment is a critical step toward justice for the Sudanese people who have endured unimaginable suffering during this brutal war. However, this determination must be accompanied by comprehensive actions, including accountability for nations fueling the conflict, such as the UAE. We will continue to advocate for stronger measures from the U.S. government and the international community to ensure justice and relief for Sudanese victims.
The U.S. government’s conclusion that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are responsible for genocide in Sudan is an important milestone. It comes alongside vital accountability measures, including sanctions on RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa (aka “Hemedti”) and RSF-linked entities operating in the UAE.
This determination follows extensive documentation of RSF atrocities, including mass rapes, killings, and other heinous crimes. This announcement comes at a time when Sudan’s devastating conflict has displaced over 15 million people, with more than half of the population facing food insecurity and over 600,000 at risk of famine.
Additionally, the sanctions against UAE-based entities emphasize the need to hold the UAE accountable for enabling RSF atrocities. Since the civil war began, NBWG and our partners have called attention to the UAE’s complicity, including the misuse of humanitarian aid as a facade for arms shipments. The Biden administration must follow through by halting the $1.2 billion U.S. arms sale to the UAE until credible assurances are provided that such support has ended.
The United States must also prioritize humanitarian assistance in Sudan, particularly by empowering Sudanese-led initiatives like Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), which have been lifelines for many during this crisis.
This week’s determination further signals that all perpetrators—including the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)—will be held accountable. Continued monitoring and enforcement must address atrocities committed by the RSF, SAF, and any other actors involved in the conflict.