RSF dismisses US allegations of ethnic cleansing in Darfur as ‘false’

KHARTOUM – Sudan’s rebellious Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sunday vehemently rejected accusations by the United States of mass killings and ethnic cleansing in Western Darfur state, calling the claims “false” and “inaccurate”.

The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, issued a statement on December 6^th, condemning war crimes committed by the parties in the conflict, specifically targeting the RSF for widespread killings in the region.

“Based on the State Department’s careful analysis of the law and available facts, I have determined that members of the SAF and the RSF have committed war crimes in Sudan,” Blinken stated.

The top American diplomat further said that the RSF and allied militias were responsible for crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

“I have also determined that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing,” he added.

The RSF swiftly responded with a strong counterstatement, refuting the US claims.

“The statement fails to acknowledge the true instigators of this war,” the RSF declared.

“It overlooks the fact that the National Congress Party (NCP) – a terrorist organization that exerts complete control over the SAF leadership – started this war in an effort to recapture power and halt the aspirations for a peaceful democratic transition,” it added.

The statement went on to address the accusations of sexual violence against women, which the RSF categorically denied.

“We take these claims seriously and remain open to collaborating with independent third-party investigations to ensure transparency and fairness,” they said.

“We will not shield anyone found to have been involved in such crimes. However, accusations must be supported by verifiable information and undergo thorough vetting to prevent biased agendas from influencing the narrative,” it added.

The RSF further criticized the US for misrepresenting the Darfur crisis and its history.

“It draws a false parallel between events that took place 20 years ago and this war,” the statement said. “It overlooks the fact that the RSF – only a decade old – is not responsible for those events.”

Instead, the RSF attributed the blame to the former regime of Omar al-Bashir, who is currently being sought by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in the western region.

“The focus must be placed on this terrorist regime,” they insisted.

The statement also addressed the accusations of targeting civilians, emphasizing that their presence in Darfur was aimed at protecting civilians from the NCP’s tactics of ethnic cleansing.

“Our military presence is not aimed at suppressing civilians, but rather shielding them from the tactics of ethnic cleansing historically employed by the former regime,” the RSF clarified.

Furthermore, the RSF highlighted their efforts to resolve tribal conflicts in Darfur, which were acknowledged by international reports.

They emphasized the crucial role played by RSF General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in promoting stability and addressing the complexities of the region following the Juba peace agreement.

The statement fiercely contested the US allegations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing, emphasizing their commitment to protecting civilians and resolving conflicts in Darfur.