The United States sanctioned two commanders of the Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for their role in expanding war to new fronts and battling for control of more territory.
Washington: Altaghyeer
The United States’ Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned on Wednesday two Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanders for expanding war to new fronts and battling for control of more territory.
The two commanders are Ali Yagoub Gibril and Osman Mohamed Hamid.
OFAC said the two leaders were sanctioned for their role in attacking North Darfur and encircling its capital, al-Fashir, thus endangered nearly one million Sudanese civilians who resorted to this last major safe haven in Darfur, impeded humanitarian access, increased the risk of mass atrocities, and could undermine vital peace efforts.
“While the Sudanese people continue to demand an end to this conflict, these commanders have been focused on expanding to new fronts and battling for control of more territory,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.
“The United States will continue to use sanctions to support the peace process and act against those on either side who further perpetuate the conflict”, said Nelson.
OFAC has previously imposed sanctions on individuals and companies accused of fueling war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF.
According to OFAC statement Gibril, who is the RSF Central Darfur commander, has been instrumental in the RSF’s operations in Darfur, including recent RSF offensives in North Darfur. He currently commands RSF troops around al-Fashir, North Darfur capital.
Hamid, who is a major general in the RSF and the group’s head of operations, has given statements on behalf of the RSF after large RSF victories and is an important part of RSF operational planning.
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