Rubio calls for cutting off weapons to Sudan's RSF

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Wednesday for international action to cut off weapons to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, saying any backers would face repercussions.

"What's happening there is horrifying," Rubio told reporters after discussing Sudan with Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Canada.

Rubio placed blame on the RSF, which has been at war with the army since April 2023 and recently seized the key Sudanese city of El-Fasher, although it also said it backed a US proposal for a truce.

"I think the fundamental problem we have is that the RSF agrees to things and then never follows through with it," Rubio said.

"I think something needs to be done to cut off the weapons and support that the RSF is getting as they continue with their advances," he added.

Rubio said the RSF relied on outside money and support as it lacked its own manufacturing facilities for weapons.

"It's coming through some country and we know who they are and we're going to talk to them about it and make them understand that it's going to reflect poorly on them and it's going to reflect poorly on the world if we can't stop this," the top US diplomat said.

He declined when pressed to single out the United Arab Emirates, a close US partner.

Sudan's army has accused the UAE of supporting the RSF with weapons and mercenaries sent via African nations. The UAE has repeatedly denied the allegations.