In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “based on the State Department’s careful analysis of the law and available facts,” it was determined war crimes have been committed in Sudan.
“I have also determined that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing,” Blinken’s statement added.
Blinken called for an end to the conflict and urged the warring factions to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.
The fighting between the SAF and the RSF which broke out in mid-April has left more than 12,000 dead, 6.6 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan, according to the United Nations humanitarian agency, OCHA.
State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said Wednesday the U.S. stood with the Sudanese people and called on nations to support efforts to protect Sudanese civilians and prevent future atrocities.
“As we have repeatedly said since the outbreak of this conflict, the United States stands with the Sudanese people, who did not ask for this war, in support of their rightful demands for a transition to democracy and freedom, peace, and justice,” Miller said speaking to media.
On Monday, the U.S. sanctioned three Omar al-Bashir-era officials over their alleged roles in fueling the conflict on both sides.
The Treasury Department named three former Sudanese officials, Taha Osman Ahmed al-Hussein, Salah Abdallah Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Etta Elmoula Abbas, accusing them of engaging in activities that “undermine the peace, security, and stability of Sudan.”
Allegations of ethnic massacres and international law violations
The RSF has faced accusations of orchestrating an ethnic massacre in West Darfur. Residents in Khartoum have also accused the paramilitary group of rape, looting, and imprisoning civilians.
Experts suggest that the Sudanese army's air assaults on residential areas — many of which are RSF strongholds — may violate international law.
VOA contacted Sudan’s ambassador to the U.S., Mohamed Idris, and SAF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Nabeel Abdallah for comments. As of publication time, neither has responded.
While RSF advisor Yousif Izzat was unavailable for comment, he has previously dismissed allegations of ethnic massacres in the Darfur region as a false media campaign.
Ongoing mediation talks brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia stalled this week. Miller said the U.S. is continuing engagement to bring an end to the nearly eight-month-long conflict.
This report was compiled by VOA's Nabeel Biajo. Some information came from Reuters.