The United States has formally declared that genocide has taken place in Sudan’s northeastern region, citing the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) as the main perpetrator. The declaration comes after decades of civil war, which has killed 150,000 people and displaced over 11 million others. The conflict has drawn in foreign countries and armed groups, with thousands killed in ethnic cleansing campaigns, women subjected to sexual violence, and millions facing hunger.
The R.S.F., a militia linked to the Janjaweed group responsible for genocide charges against Sudan’s former ruler Omar Hassan al-Bashir, is accused of committing new acts of genocide against the Masalit people. The US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, stated that the R.S.F. and allied militias had committed these crimes in Darfur.
The conflict has led to a massive displacement crisis, with over 11.5 million Sudanese people forced to flee their homes. Many are living in dire conditions, with little food or water. The World Health Organization reports that at least 33,000 people have been injured, and the healthcare infrastructure is on the brink of collapse.
The United Nations describes the situation as a “living nightmare.” Experts warn that the catastrophe has created vicious cycles of preventable disease, predisposing children to malnutrition. With the country facing crisis-level hunger conditions, Sudan’s health care system is struggling to cope with the influx of patients. The global community is sounding the alarm on this humanitarian crisis, urging action to address the situation.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/world/africa/sudan-genocide-numbers.html