US imposes travel restrictions on non-citizens who recently visited Uganda, DRC, and South Sudan

The United States has announced new entry restrictions targeting non-American nationals who have recently travelled to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. The move is part of expanded travel controls aimed at strengthening border security and monitoring health and security risks linked to recent travel from the listed countries.

A commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who was detained late last year following widespread international outrage sparked by viral video footage allegedly showing him executing unarmed civilians in Al Fasher, has now been released from prison and returned to active duty on the battlefield, according to nine sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters.
The sources said the development marks a significant shift in the handling of the case, especially given the intensity of global condemnation that followed the circulation of the videos. Two of the sources, including a Sudanese intelligence official and a senior RSF commander, stated that they personally saw Brigadier General al-Fateh Abdullah Idris—also known by his widely used alias—back in active military service after his release. They added that he has been fully reintegrated into RSF operational activities and is once again involved in field command responsibilities.
His initial arrest came after the emergence of disturbing footage that appeared to show him participating in the killing of unarmed individuals during RSF operations in Al Fasher, a city that has been one of the focal points of intense fighting in the ongoing Sudanese conflict. The videos quickly spread online and drew strong reactions from international observers, human rights organizations, and political actors, who condemned the alleged acts and called for accountability and investigation into violations committed during the conflict.
The RSF, which has been engaged in a prolonged armed confrontation with Sudan’s national army, has faced repeated accusations of abuses against civilians throughout the war, with various incidents documented in multiple regions. The detention of the commander at the time was seen by some observers as a response to mounting pressure to demonstrate internal discipline and accountability within the paramilitary group.
However, the latest accounts from sources suggest that despite his earlier arrest, the commander has now been quietly reinstated, raising questions about internal disciplinary processes and the RSF’s current operational priorities as the conflict continues. Analysts note that such developments may reflect both the intensity of ongoing battlefield demands and the evolving structure of command within the group under wartime conditions.
The return of the officer to active duty also underscores the complex and often opaque nature of command decisions within the RSF, particularly in relation to individuals accused of serious violations. As fighting continues across Sudan, the move is likely to draw further scrutiny from international stakeholders monitoring the conduct of all parties involved in the conflict.