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US Demands International Crackdown on Sudan's RSF Over Alleged Genocide in Darfur
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged global partners on Wednesday to sever weapons supply lines to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accusing the paramilitary group of systematic massacres, rape, and ethnic cleansing in el-Fasher. The appeal came at the close of a G7 foreign ministers' summit in Canada, where Rubio described the violence as "horrifying atrocities" targeting women, children, and non-Arab civilians in Darfur.
El-Fasher Capture Marks Turning Point in Sudan's Civil War
The RSF seized el-Fasher last month after an 18-month siege, consolidating control over all major cities in western Darfur. Satellite imagery reveals piles of bodies and bloodstained terrain, while survivors report mass killings and sexual violence. The US and humanitarian organizations have labeled the campaign against non-Arab groups a genocide.
Only a fraction of the city's population has escaped. Rubio warned that thousands presumed to have fled may instead be dead or too starved to move, citing US intelligence assessments. The RSF, which lacks domestic arms production, relies on external backers-primarily the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to UN investigations and media reports, though both the UAE and RSF deny the claims.
G7 Condemns Sudan's Humanitarian Catastrophe as Death Toll Tops 150,000
The G7's joint statement decried Sudan's conflict as "the world's largest humanitarian crisis," with over 150,000 killed and 12 million displaced since fighting erupted in April 2023. The war pits the RSF against Sudan's army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, after a power struggle between the two factions collapsed into all-out civil war.
Amnesty International and UN experts trace weapons used in Sudan to manufacturers in Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, Yemen, and the UAE, with smuggling routes allegedly running through Chad into Darfur. The UAE is further accused of facilitating RSF gold sales to fund arms purchases-a charge Abu Dhabi rejects.
Diplomatic Tensions: US Balances Pressure on UAE While Seeking Quad Cooperation
Rubio avoided direct criticism of the UAE at the summit, despite evidence of its role as the RSF's primary arms supplier. The US is part of the "Quad"-alongside the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia-working toward a ceasefire and civilian transition. The group proposed a three-month truce in September, followed by permanent peace talks, but the RSF only agreed after capturing el-Fasher.
The Sudanese army, which opposes the UAE's inclusion in the Quad, accuses Abu Dhabi of arming the RSF with weapons and mercenaries. The UAE counters by alleging the army uses "starvation tactics" and chemical weapons-claims the army denies. Rubio acknowledged the complexity:
"We know who the parties are that are involved [in weapons supply]... That's why they're part of the Quad."
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State
RSF Rejects Allegations, Blames Army for Truce Collapse
The RSF dismissed Rubio's statements as "biased," insisting it has no foreign backers and accusing the army of sabotaging ceasefire efforts. In a statement, the group claimed it had "officially announced" acceptance of the truce but received no response from the US. The army, it alleged, is controlled by "the terrorist Islamic Movement" and has rejected all peace initiatives.
Rubio rejected the RSF's claims that rogue elements were responsible for atrocities, calling the violence "systematic." He also hinted at Iran's potential role in arming the Sudanese army, though Tehran denies involvement.
Global Arms Trade Under Scrutiny as UK Faces Domestic Pressure
The conflict has exposed gaps in international arms controls. A UN embargo on Darfur, in place since 2004, has failed to stem the flow of weapons. Meanwhile, UK lawmakers recently grilled Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper over reports of British-made arms reaching the RSF via the UAE. Cooper defended the UK's "extremely strong" export controls but faced calls to halt all arms sales to Abu Dhabi until its role in Sudan is clarified.
As fighting rages on, Rubio vowed to "do everything we can" to stop the bloodshed, though the path to accountability-and peace-remains unclear.
