Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement after the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission concluded that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed acts of genocide against non-Arab communities in the Sudanese city of El Fasher.
“The UN report released yesterday confirms our worst fears — that the RSF carried out a brutal and genocidal campaign targeting non-Arab communities in the Darfur region of Sudan. After seizing control of El Fasher last October, the RSF committed numerous atrocities against the Fur and Zaghawa communities in the city, including mass killings, rape, and torture. These crimes followed an 18-month siege during which the RSF deprived residents of food, attacked medical facilities, and obstructed humanitarian aid — actions deliberately intended to maximize civilian suffering.
“The United States cannot allow these crimes to go unpunished. Yesterday, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on three RSF leaders responsible for war crimes in El Fasher. While I support this designation, additional measures are necessary to prevent further genocidal acts. The Trump Administration must designate the RSF as a single entity and press the United Arab Emirates to halt arms transfers to the group. The Administration must also ensure that life-saving assistance reaches survivors of the siege of El Fasher. Failure to do so will place hundreds of thousands of lives at risk and embolden the RSF to commit further acts of genocide in Sudan.”
(Source: Official statement from the Office of Rep. Gregory Meeks, House Foreign Affairs Committee, February 20, 2026.
