The United States has imposed sanctions on a commander of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A statement from Washington on Tuesday (November 12) said the action was taken against RSF commander Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla for alleged involvement in human rights abuses in West Darfur. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla led the RSF operation in West Darfur, according to a statement from the US Treasury Department. He is accused of serious human rights violations. There was credible evidence of violence targeting civilians, conflict-related sexual violence and racially motivated attacks.
The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Barkalla last week. The move is seen as the latest US pressure move in Sudan's ongoing war. The war stems from a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule in April 2023.
“Today's action reinforces our commitment,” Bradley Smith, Treasury's acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement. We will hold accountable those who facilitate such acts of violence against vulnerable civilian populations in Sudan.
He added that the United States is committed to supporting an end to the conflict and calls on both sides to engage in peace talks and guarantee the basic human rights of all Sudanese civilians.
