US accuses Sudan rebels of genocide, sanctions chief

Sudanese paramilitary leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo

(Image credit: Mahmoud Hjaj / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

published 8 January 2025

What happened

The U.S. State Department declared Tuesday that the Sudanese paramilitary army the Rapid Support Forces has committed genocide in its bloody civil war against Sudan's military. The Treasury Department also announced sanctions against RSF chief Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly called Hemedti, and seven RSF-linked companies in the United Arab Emirates, the rebels' main foreign backer.

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America's genocide designation will likely "spark greater scrutiny of the RSF affiliates and foreign suppliers," The Wall Street Journal said. The finding "does not oblige the U.S. to take action," The New York Times said, but paired with the sanctions it will restrict Hemedti's "ability to travel, use the international financial system or present himself as a champion of democratic ambitions, as he has often done."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.