In a striking plea, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights has urged the Canadian government to join the U.S. in recognizing the atrocities committed by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as genocide. This follows the group’s documentation of severe violence against ethnic minorities during Sudan’s intense civil strife. While Canada imposed sanctions on specific militants and companies in Sudan in April, it has yet to officially declare genocide or tackle the foreign arms that fuel this conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reinforced these claims on Tuesday, declaring the RSF to be systematically committing genocide. His statements described horrific acts including the targeted murder of ethnic groups and appalling sexual violence against women and girls in the region. The situation has prompted sanctions against RSF members and companies in the UAE suspected of supplying weapons, which the UAE has consistently denied despite evidence.
The Wallenberg Centre points to patterns indicating an intent to largely eradicate the Masalit ethnic group, stressing that all nations under the Genocide Convention have a moral obligation to respond. Their April analysis specifically highlights the role of Russia’s Wagner Group in supporting the RSF’s genocidal actions, calling for Canada to take a stand against those arming the militants.
This ongoing crisis is reminiscent of the dark days of the Darfur conflict between 2003 and 2005, which remains a focus of the International Criminal Court. The current civil war erupted nearly two years ago, driven by political power struggles and a widespread yearning for democratic governance. Today, the humanitarian toll is staggering, with over 28,000 lives lost and millions displaced as they endure desperate situations, even resorting to eating grass.
Blinken emphasized that his findings were not to favor either combatant, but rather to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has refrained from commenting on the genocide accusations despite numerous inquiries. On a separate note, Canada joined the U.S. and four other nations in issuing a statement marking the 20th anniversary of South Sudan’s secession—a reminder of ongoing struggles in the region.
The Raoul Wallenberg Centre has called on Canada to declare genocide in Sudan due to actions by the Rapid Support Forces. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has affirmed these claims and imposed sanctions on RSF and firms in the UAE. The Centre highlights the targeted violence against ethnic groups and urges accountability from nations under the Genocide Convention, while Canada remains silent on the issue despite significant humanitarian tolls in the conflict.
In conclusion, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre’s appeal for Canada to recognize the genocide in Sudan underlines the severe humanitarian crisis fueled by the RSF’s brutal actions. Urging accountability and intervention, the organization emphasizes the global duty to protect vulnerable populations from atrocities, reminding us of our collective responsibility in preventing history from repeating itself in Darfur. While the U.S. has made a move towards sanctions and declarations, Canada’s silence leaves many questions about its stance on this dire situation.
The Region of Darfur has been the epicenter of ethnic conflict, particularly between 2003 and 2005. Recent violence, now characterized as genocide, has roots in a civil war ignited by a struggle for political control. The conflict has drawn international scrutiny, yet still receives minimal coverage compared to other global crises, highlighting a significant humanitarian disaster ongoing in Sudan.
Original Source: www.cp24.com
