U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken announced yesterday that the United States has determined that genocide is being committed by the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and RSF-aligned militias amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war.

Blinken stated in a press statement, “The RSF and RSF-aligned militias have continued to direct attacks against civilians. They have systematically murdered men and boys, including infants, on an ethnic basis, and deliberately targeted women and girls from specific ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence.”

According to Blinken, RSF forces are targeting fleeing civilians, murdering innocent individuals escaping conflict, and preventing remaining civilians from accessing essential supplies.

“Based on this information, I have concluded that members of the RSF and RSF-aligned militias have committed genocide in Sudan,” he further stated.

Additionally, the Secretary announced sanctions against RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo and seven of RSF-owned companies based in the UAE for their involvement in perpetrating and facilitating these systematic atrocities. “Today’s action is part of our ongoing efforts to hold all warring parties accountable for their actions that are fueling this conflict,” Blinken remarked.

Blinken emphasized that the U.S. will continue its support for the people of Sudan in their pursuit of a peaceful and inclusive democratic future. Similarly, it is known that the Tigray people are facing numerous challenges due to the genocidal war waged by the Ethiopian government and its allies, including the Eritrean Army and Amhara special forces.

During the devastating war, these forces have committed mass atrocities, including ethnic cleansing, massacres of innocent civilians, sexual violence, starvation, and the systematic destruction of infrastructure and public services, all targeting the Tigrayan people.

images of murdered Tigrayans

The situation in Tigray remains dire, as highlighted by Amnesty International’s findings on war crimes committed during the war. The reports of indiscriminate shelling and extrajudicial executions underline the gravity of the humanitarian crisis, pushing thousands to flee.

images of murdered Tigrayans

In general, numerous crimes have been committed against the people of Tigray during the war, as confirmed by various international human rights organizations, including the United Nations. Despite the cessation of hostilities through the Pretoria agreement, atrocities continue in West Tigray and other parts of Tigray due to the agreement’s lack of implementation.

While the Pretoria agreement was signed between the federal government and the TPLF, it has not successfully addressed the suffers faced by the people of Tigray. Instead of complying with the agreement to remove Amhara militants from occupied areas in western Tigray, the federal government is actively supporting the militants and finding excuses to prolong the suffering of the Tigrayan population.

On the Tigray side, the TPLF, a signatory to the agreement, has become embroiled in political disputes, leading to internal power struggles within the interim administration established to implement the Pretoria Agreement, thus hindering the efforts of agreement’s enforcement.

In the midst of these challenges, the people of Tigray continue to endure immense suffering without receiving the justice or recognition for those continuous atrocities. The absence of a functional government or institution capable of addressing the heinous atrocities and crimes committed by various collaborative forces exacerbates their plight.