US sanctions Sudanese commander involved in human rights abuses in West Darfur

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Treasury Department sanctioned a Sudanese commander on Tuesday who was involved in human rights abuses in West Darfur.

Abdel Rahman Joma’a Barakallah was sanctioned for his leadership role in the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) -- a "primary party responsible for the ongoing violence" against civilians in Sudan since April 2023, the agency said in a statement.

Barakallah led the RSF’s campaign in West Darfur, which was "marked by credible claims of serious human rights abuses, including targeting of civilians, conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and ethnically motivated violence," it added.

He is also subject to US visa restrictions for "gross violations" of human rights, specifically the kidnapping and killing of the lawful governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abbakar, it said.

"Today’s action underscores our commitment to hold accountable those who seek to facilitate these horrific acts of violence against vulnerable civilian populations in Sudan," Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley Smith was quoted in the statement.

The US remains focused on supporting an end to the conflict in Sudan and urges both sides to participate in peace talks and ensure the basic human rights of all civilians, he added.

The Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF have been engaged in a conflict since April 202, that has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths and displaced nearly 13 million, according to the UN.

There has been a growing call from the UN and international bodies to end the conflict, as the war has pushed millions of Sudanese to the brink of famine and death because of food shortages, with fighting spreading to 13 of Sudan's 18 states.