{"id":20107012,"date":"2024-11-13T12:14:31","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T11:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20107012"},"modified":"2024-11-24T09:23:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-24T08:23:06","slug":"us-imposes-sanctions-on-west-darfur-rsf-commander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/us-imposes-sanctions-on-west-darfur-rsf-commander","title":{"rendered":"US imposes sanctions on West Darfur RSF commander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The US Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Gen Abdelrahman Juma, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Sector Commander in West Darfur, over his role in orchestrating violent campaigns against civilians, in a decision announced yesterday. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, the US restricted Juma\u2019s visa, targeting him for his alleged involvement in the killing of West Darfur Governor<\/a> Khamees Abakar, who had denounced RSF actions shortly before his death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sanctions<\/a> come amid escalating violence by RSF forces<\/a> and allied militias, which have left a trail of devastation in Sudan’s Darfur region since the conflict erupted in April 2023. OFAC cited Juma\u2019s role in leading the RSF\u2019s West Darfur<\/a> operations, holding him responsible for widespread terror inflicted on local populations, including targeted killings, conflict-related sexual violence, and ethnically motivated violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the press statement<\/a>, Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, underscored the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, describing the move as \u201ca stand against horrific acts of violence against Sudanese civilians.\u201d Smith reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to support peace efforts and urged all parties to uphold human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the new sanctions, any assets held by Juma in the United States are frozen, with strict prohibitions placed on any financial transactions involving him or entities he controls. OFAC\u2019s action also warns foreign financial institutions that engaging in transactions with sanctioned individuals could lead to penalties or enforcement actions against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The designation of Juma and other RSF leaders underlines OFAC\u2019s aim not merely to penalise but to drive behavioural change and encourage peace. OFAC emphasised that those who demonstrate a shift toward constructive actions could eventually see sanctions lifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September 2023, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Abdelrahim Dagalo<\/a>, RSF deputy commander and brother of RSF Commander-in-Chief Mohamed \u2018Hemedti\u2019 Dagalo, for alleged human rights abuses in Sudan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Algoney (El Jouni) Dagalo, the procurement director of the RSF and younger brother of \u2018Hemedti\u2019 Dagalo, sanctioned in October<\/a> this year, on accusations of “leading efforts to supply weapons to continue the war in Sudan”. However, this move drew criticism, as the Republican House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority dismissed the decision as \u201cdevoid of any meaningful policy approach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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