Sudan's Army, Paramilitary Deny US Allegations of War Crimes

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced last week that war crimes have been committed by both sides of the conflict based on "analysis of the law and available facts," adding that "members of the RSF and allied militias have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing."

In a statement Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the condemnation of alleged crimes committed by the RSF but dismissed allegations against the Sudan Armed Forces as baseless.

The ministry said Blinken’s statement contained "indiscriminate allegations that equate the army with the rebel militia that is responsible for unleashing horrific violence, death and destruction."

The State Department's determination that the army has committed war crimes ignored "the duty and right of the Armed Forces, the legitimate national army, to defend the country and the people," the ministry added.

The conflict between the SAF and the RSF broke out in Khartoum in mid-April, led by military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the RSF.

United Nations humanitarian agency says the fighting has left more than 12,000 dead, displacing 6.6 million people inside and outside Sudan.

Responding to U.S. allegations, the Rapid Support Forces' press office agreed that the conflict has had a "tragic impact on Sudanese civilians," but said the paramilitary group is fighting for the "removal of the terrorist former regime, especially from within the SAF, to enable the democratic transition to continue."

The RSF said Blinken’s statement failed to acknowledge the true instigators of the conflict, saying that the "National Congress Party — a terrorist organization that exerts complete control over the SAF leadership — started this war."

The paramilitary force denied accusations of sexual violence committed by its forces, saying it takes the claims seriously and remained open to investigate them.

"We will not shield anyone found to have been involved in such crimes," it said.

The RSF has also faced accusations of orchestrating an ethnic massacre in West Darfur. The group denies the claim, stating that its efforts to "liberate Darfur — especially West Darfur — from the National Congress Party are portrayed wrongfully as ethnic cleansing."

The U.S. says it is continuing engagement to bring an end to the hostilities in Sudan. The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development eastern Africa regional bloc said this week the generals have agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting in efforts to establish a cease-fire and initiate political talks to end the country’s devastating war.

It is yet to be determined when the generals will meet.

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh said Sunday on X, formerly Twitter, that the generals "accepted the principle of meeting within 15 days in order to pave the way for a series of confidence-building measures."

This report was complied by Nabeel Biajo. Some information came from The Associated Press.