US Sanctions Darfur Commander Following UN Designation for Rights Violations

Barakallah’s designation comes as part of the US's continued commitment to hold perpetrators of violence accountable and to apply pressure on those responsible for the ongoing atrocities in Sudan

The US Treasury Department has announced new sanctions against Abdel Rahman Joma’a Barakallah, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander in West Darfur, following his designation by the UN Security Council on November 8.

Barakallah, along with fellow RSF commander Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, was named by the UN for his direct role in leading the RSF’s brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses in Sudan's Darfur region.

Barakallah’s designation comes as part of the US's continued commitment to hold perpetrators of violence accountable and to apply pressure on those responsible for the ongoing atrocities in Sudan.

The US sanctions specifically target Barakallah for his involvement in egregious human rights violations, including the kidnapping and killing of Khamis Abbakar, the lawful governor of West Darfur, earlier this year.

The Treasury Department also imposed visa restrictions on Barakallah, further isolating him from international travel and access.

The sanctions freeze any assets he may hold in US jurisdictions and block US individuals and entities from doing business with him.

"Today’s action underscores the United States' firm resolve to hold accountable those responsible for the ongoing suffering of civilians in Darfur," said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in a statement.

"We will continue to use all available tools to sanction those who perpetuate violence and abuses against the Sudanese people."

The UN Security Council’s designation of both Barakallah and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed on November 8 marks a coordinated international effort to hold individuals accountable for the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has seen widespread violence, ethnic cleansing, and displacement.

The US has already designated Hamid in May 2024, further solidifying its commitment to confronting the leadership of the RSF, a paramilitary group closely aligned with Sudan's de facto ruling government.

The U.S. government reiterated its support for the Sudanese people in their struggle for peace and democracy, emphasizing that these sanctions are part of a broader strategy to isolate those who are prolonging the conflict and undermining efforts toward stability.

In addition to sanctions, the US continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and for all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue toward a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

The international community has been on high alert over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Darfur, where violence has escalated, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians and leaving thousands dead.

As the violence persists, the United States remains committed to using its diplomatic and economic leverage to push for accountability and to support the people of Sudan in their quest for peace, justice, and human rights.

The sanctions announced today are part of a wider, coordinated international effort to address the ongoing atrocities in Sudan and to bring perpetrators to justice.