By HAN News Desk
WASHINGTON – United States Senator Marco Rubio has accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of committing widespread atrocities, including massacres and sexual violence, warning that Washington may impose further sanctions, including cutting off the group’s access to weapons and foreign funding.
Senator Rubio, who serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, made the remarks while addressing the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has entered its nineteenth month with devastating humanitarian consequences.
Rubio condemned what he described as “systematic war crimes” by the RSF, alleging that the paramilitary group has targeted civilians, carried out mass killings, and used rape as a weapon of war.
“The RSF’s actions in Sudan amount to horrific crimes against humanity,” Rubio said. “The United States must work with its allies to block the flow of weapons and financial support the group receives from foreign backers.”
The senator also suggested that Washington could consider adding the RSF to its list of designated terrorist organizations if such a step would help end the ongoing war in Sudan.
“If classifying the RSF as a terrorist organization is what it takes to stop this conflict, it should be on the table,” Rubio stated.
His comments come amid growing international concern over the escalating violence in Sudan, where clashes between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have killed thousands and displaced millions since fighting erupted in April 2023.
The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (also known as Hemedti), has been accused by human rights groups of committing grave violations, particularly in the Darfur region. Reports from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations have documented mass graves, widespread looting, and ethnic-based attacks.
Several Western governments, including the United States, have already imposed targeted sanctions on individuals linked to both warring factions. However, pressure is growing in Washington to adopt a tougher stance — particularly against the RSF, which is believed to have received support from foreign states and private networks.
The conflict in Sudan has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with more than 25 million people — over half the population — in need of aid, according to the UN. Millions have fled their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt.
Rubio urged the Biden administration to intensify diplomatic and economic measures to push both sides toward a ceasefire and political negotiations.
“The people of Sudan have suffered enough. The U.S. must lead in holding perpetrators accountable and restoring peace,” he said.
The RSF emerged from the notorious Janjaweed militias, which were accused of atrocities in Darfur during the early 2000s. Once integrated into Sudan’s security apparatus, the group later clashed with the national army following tensions over control of the country’s transition to civilian rule.
As international mediators struggle to revive peace talks, U.S. officials say they are reviewing all available options to pressure the warring parties — including sanctions, funding restrictions, and potential legal designations.
