Washington, May 15( Darfur24)
The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on two prominent commanders of the Rapid Support Forces( RSF), Ali Yaqoub and Othman Muhammad Hamid , according to a statement published on the ministry’s official website.
“These leaders have focused on expanding to new fronts and fighting for control of more territory, while the Sudanese people look forward to an end to the conflict,” Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson explained.
He added: “The United States will continue to use sanctions to support the peace process and work against those who further perpetuate the conflict on both sides.”
While the ministry said that the leaders are Ali Yaqoub Jibril and Othman Muhammad Hamid Muhammad, who are accused of leading the military campaign of the Rapid Support Forces.
Nelson pointed out that Ali Yaqoub Jibril is the commander of the Rapid Support Forces in Central Darfur, and he played an effective role in the operations of the Rapid Support Forces in Darfur, including the recent attacks launched by North Darfur.
Jibril currently leads the Rapid Support Forces around El Fasher, North Darfur, the last major area controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces in Darfur.
As for Othman Muhammad Hamid Muhammad, a major general in the Rapid Support Forces and head of the group’s operations, he made statements on behalf of the Rapid Support Forces after the major victories they achieved, which is an important part of their operational planning, according to the statement.
The Rapid Support Forces attacks in North Darfur, which began last month, caused dozens of civilian casualties, including children, according to the US Treasury Department.
The RSF’s encirclement of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and recent fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, have put nearly one million Sudanese civilians at risk in the last major safe haven in Darfur, impeding humanitarian access, and increasing the risk of mass atrocities.
The ministry said this could worsen the situation and undermine vital peace efforts.
It is noteworthy that the fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces suddenly broke out in mid-April 2023 after weeks of tension between the two parties, while the military and civilian parties were putting the final touches on an internationally supported political process.