US Envoy Condemns Rapid Support Forces for Ethnic Cleansing in Sudan
Tom Perriello, the US envoy to Sudan, has publicly condemned the actions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), stating that they are involved in ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Perriello emphasized that the United States is committed to opposing the RSF and is advocating for the establishment of national institutions in Sudan led by a civilian government. He highlighted ongoing efforts to deter the flow of weapons into Sudan and to impose sanctions on individuals and entities that benefit from the ongoing violence, in collaboration with European partners.
The situation in Sudan has escalated dramatically since mid-April 2023, with the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF resulting in over 20,000 deaths and displacing more than 14 million people. Perriello noted that the US is also working to increase humanitarian aid to the region and has been involved in ceasefire negotiations alongside Saudi Arabia.
Attacks on Medical Facilities Raise Alarms
In a disturbing development, Doctors Without Borders reported that the RSF targeted Bashair Hospital in Khartoum, firing bullets inside the facility and threatening medical staff. This violent incursion occurred last Wednesday and has drawn widespread condemnation. MSF's head of mission in Sudan, Samuel David Theodore, stated that several RSF soldiers entered the emergency room and began shooting at medical personnel, although fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The attack on Bashair Hospital, one of the few remaining operational health facilities in southern Khartoum, underscores the dire humanitarian situation in the country. MSF has called for the RSF to respect the neutrality of medical facilities and the safety of healthcare workers, stressing that hospitals must remain safe havens for those in need of care. The ongoing conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions facing famine and severe food shortages as fighting continues across 13 of Sudan's 18 states.
