Biden Admin slammed for ‘waiting’ to declare genocide in Sudan

The Biden Administration has come under fire from Republican Senator Jim Risch for its delayed response to the genocide in Sudan. In a recent statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared that the Sudanese rebel group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), had committed genocide in the war-torn country. This declaration came just days before the outgoing President was set to leave office.

Blinken condemned the RSF for their systematic atrocities against the Sudanese people, including attacks on civilians, murder on an ethnic basis, sexual violence against women and girls, and the prevention of access to lifesaving supplies. The conflict in Sudan has led to the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe, with millions in need of assistance and hundreds of thousands facing famine.

Senator Risch criticized the Biden Administration for waiting until the last minute to take action against the RSF and its leader, Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, also known as Hemedti. He argued that the delay in addressing the crisis in Sudan has weakened America’s influence in the region and allowed foreign proxies to exacerbate the conflict.

The U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Thomas Perriello, defended the administration’s actions, stating that making an atrocity determination requires careful review of the facts and intent behind the acts. He highlighted the U.S.’s efforts to promote accountability for the RSF’s atrocities, including previous sanctions against RSF leaders.

In response to Blinken’s declaration, the Treasury Department announced new sanctions against RSF-affiliated companies in the UAE for their role in procuring weapons for the RSF. The UAE denied providing support to the warring parties in Sudan and emphasized its commitment to combating financial crime globally.

The conflict in Sudan continues to put innocent civilian lives at risk, prompting calls for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution. The U.S. remains committed to using all available tools to hold those responsible for violating human rights in Sudan accountable. The situation in Sudan serves as a stark reminder of the need for swift and decisive action to address humanitarian crises and prevent further atrocities.