The capture of El-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces has given the militia control over nearly the entire Darfur region. AFP
Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salem told state news agency SUNA he hoped Rubio’s remarks “will be a genuine starting point for holding the RSF accountable, along with anyone who aided it, supplied it with weapons, allowed the use of their territory for arms and ‘mercenaries’, or provided political support.”
He said designating the RSF a terrorist organisation would help correct the international community’s understanding of the conflict.
On Wednesday, Rubio delivered some of the toughest US statements yet on Sudan at the close of the G7 summit near Niagara Falls, accusing the RSF of committing atrocities in Darfur and around the besieged city of El-Fasher.
“They're committing acts of sexual violence and atrocities, just horrifying atrocities, against women, children, and innocent civilians of the most horrific kind. And it needs to end immediately,” Rubio told reporters.
“And we're going to do everything we can to bring it to an end, and we've encouraged partner nations to join us in this fight.”
The Trump administration is working with the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia—collectively known as the “Quad”—on efforts to end the war.
In September, the Quad proposed a three-month humanitarian truce followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition to civilian rule.
On Thursday, an adviser to RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) - accused of crimes against humanity in darfur - dismissed Rubio’s comments as “an unsuccessful step”, warning in remarks to AP that they hinder truce efforts and may further escalate the fighting.
Foreign ministers of the G7 also voiced concern as they wrapped up their meeting in Canada.
In a joint statement, they said, “We strongly condemned the recent escalation of violence and attacks that are often ethnically motivated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against unarmed civilians and aid workers, particularly in El Fasher and North Kordofan.”
“We deplore the devastating impact of this war on civilians, including the famine that has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence.”
The G7 urged both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) “to respect human rights, de-escalate, commit to an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and ensure rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance” and called on external actors to support diplomatic efforts to restore peace.
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