Sudan’s army, RSF have committed war crimes: US Secretary Blinken

Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the US has determined that members of Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces have both committed war crimes in Sudan.

Blinken also said that Sudan’s RSF and “allied militias” had committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

“This determination provides force and renewed urgency to African and international efforts to end the violence, address the humanitarian and human rights crisis, and work towards meaningful justice for victims and the affected communities that ends decades of impunity,” Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken added that Wednesday’s determination does not preclude the possibility of future determinations if and when more information becomes available about the parties’ actions.

He said the US was committed to using available tools to end the fighting in Sudan.

Fighting broke out in Khartoum in April amid tensions between the army and RSF over the integration of their forces during a transition to democracy.

Since then, the RSF has taken control of most of the capital Khartoum on the ground, and has been expanding southward.

Simultaneously, it has managed to take control of most of the western Darfur region, with analysts saying it has gained momentum in its efforts to cement control over as much of the country as possible, bolstering its position in ongoing peace talks.