DARFUR (Agencies): The US on Tuesday sanctioned Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) West Darfur Commander, Abdel Rahman Joma’a Barakallah, for human rights violations.
The move to sanction Barakallah comes after the UN designated him and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed on Nov. 8 for their alleged roles in ethnic cleansing and human rights violations.
“Barakallah is also subject to US visa restrictions for his involvement in gross violations of human rights, namely the kidnapping and killing of the lawful governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abbakar,” the State Department said on Tuesday.
The US Treasury Department previously designated Hamid in May.
“The United States welcomes the UN Security Council’s action on Nov. 8, which demonstrates its readiness to hold to account those responsible for abuses against civilians in Darfur,” the State Department said.
Washington also said the latest sanctions were part of US efforts to support the Sudanese people and “use the tools at our disposal to impose costs on those committing atrocities and perpetuating the conflict.”
