Senior Sudanese leaders have condemned the U.S. Treasury’s decision to impose sanctions on Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), warning that the move could undermine peace initiatives and destabilize the region further.
Suleiman Sandal, the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), voiced strong concerns that the sanctions could derail ongoing peace efforts aimed at ending Sudan’s war, now entering its second year. In a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sandal criticized the sanctions, asserting that they would not deter the RSF leadership from continuing its national efforts to end the war and alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Sandal blamed the conflict on factions linked to the National Congress Party (NCP), the Islamic Movement, and the Al-Baraa Brigade, stressing that the RSF leadership had repeatedly extended a “hand of peace” to resolve the crisis. He also argued that the sanctions sent a damaging message to those exacerbating the violence and asserted that Sudanese citizens remained steadfast in their pursuit of stability and a new, inclusive political order.
Ezz El-Din Al-Safi, a key member of the RSF’s negotiating delegation, echoed these sentiments, calling the sanctions “an irrational decision” and an obstacle to peace. On X, Al-Safi argued that the sanctions not only threatened Sudan’s stability but could also have wider regional security repercussions. He also accused the United States of failing to exert effective influence over Sudan’s crisis, drawing comparisons to similar missteps in the Middle East and Africa where U.S. influence has diminished.
Al-Safi highlighted the growing frustration among Sudanese citizens over the sanctions, but emphasized that the country remained committed to building a democratic and stable state. He warned that, at a time when Sudan requires genuine international efforts to broker peace, punitive measures such as these only exacerbate the suffering of the population and hinder prospects for a timely resolution.
The U.S. Treasury imposed the sanctions in December, citing alleged human rights violations and abuses by RSF forces during the ongoing conflict. The decision has drawn widespread condemnation, especially as violence escalates and efforts to broker a ceasefire continue.
The sanctions come amid growing international concern over Sudan’s prolonged crisis, with regional and global powers urging all parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy. However, the latest sanctions have sparked fresh debate about the effectiveness of external interventions in resolving the country’s ongoing conflict.