Senator Jim Risch, the incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the Biden administration for waiting until just 13 days before the end of President Biden’s term to declare the actions of Sudanese rebels as genocide. The declaration came after 21 months of intense conflict in Sudan.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced earlier this week that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had committed genocide in Sudan.
Blinken’s statement detailed the RSF’s systematic attacks on civilians, including the targeted murder of men and boys, even infants, based on ethnicity, and the deliberate targeting of women and girls for rape and other forms of sexual violence. He also cited attacks on fleeing civilians, preventing access to essential supplies.
The Secretary highlighted the immense humanitarian crisis, describing it as the world’s largest, with 638,000 Sudanese facing severe famine, over 30 million needing humanitarian aid, and tens of thousands dead.
Risch argued that the situation has been dire for over a year, questioning the timing of Blinken’s declaration. He noted his earlier resolution calling the atrocities genocide and his call for sanctions against the RSF and its leader, Hemedti, 263 days prior.
Risch stated that the administration’s delay in sanctioning RSF-affiliated companies and Hemedti, and in declaring the atrocities a genocide, weakened America’s influence. He believes quicker action could have saved lives and deterred foreign involvement.
Risch emphasized the need to end the war, citing the threat of further instability breeding terrorism and regional turmoil, impacting global security. He urged efforts to stop the violence, counter foreign influence, manage displacement, and protect strategic interests.
In response, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Thomas Perriello, explained that determining atrocities is a serious process requiring careful fact and law review, including assessing intent to destroy a group. He pointed out prior U.S. actions, including sanctions against five RSF leaders and the December 2023 determination of ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and war crimes by the RSF.
Blinken’s declaration included new sanctions against seven RSF-owned companies in the UAE and one individual for supplying weapons.
The Treasury Department concurrently announced sanctions, stating that the RSF’s acquisition of military equipment and finances fueled the conflict. They specifically cited a UAE company owned by a Sudanese national for providing money and weapons. Other UAE companies were sanctioned for handling finances, importing IT and security equipment, and facilitating gold transactions believed to benefit the RSF.
“The United States continues to call for an end to this conflict that is jeopardizing innocent civilian lives,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo, emphasizing the Treasury Department’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.
Responding to questions about UAE-registered companies, a UAE foreign ministry official stated that the UAE’s focus is on the humanitarian crisis and that they are calling for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution. They denied providing support to either warring party and reaffirmed their commitment to combating financial crime and international cooperation.