Washington, DC — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a statement following the Biden Administration’s genocide determination and announcement of sanctions against Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa (Hemedti), the leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF):
“This genocide determination is an important step in properly identifying atrocities the RSF is committing against the Sudanese people, including systematic use of violence, rape and other sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war against specific ethnic groups.
“The RSF’s campaign of violence has been enabled by its ability to raise funds through the United Arab Emirates, which is why today’s sanctions against Hemedti, Abu Dharr Abdul Nabi Habiballa Ahmmed, and seven RSF-linked companies in the UAE are critical, and demonstrate that the United States is taking action to hold perpetrators and enablers of genocide accountable.
“My bill, the U.S. Engagement in Sudanese Peace Act—which I will soon reintroduce in the 119th Congress—will require additional sanctions against those committing or enabling atrocities, systematically blocking humanitarian assistance, or violating the Darfur arms embargo. It will also authorize assistance for much-needed civilian protection in Sudan, promote meaningful leadership and inclusion of Sudanese women and youth in negotiations and response efforts, and prohibit the sale and licensing of major U.S. defense equipment to countries providing arms to the RSF or Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) until those countries cease such support.
“The State Department’s genocide determination and the sanctions imposed today by the Treasury Department are critical steps to getting the violence to stop, and I urge the incoming Administration to swiftly appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan. Keeping U.S. focus on holding the RSF and SAF accountable and ending this conflict must continue to be a priority as we seek to address the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”
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