Booker, Shaheen Seek Information on Sanctioned RSF Commander’s Presence in the United States

WASHINGTON D.C. -Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting information about the conditions under which a sanctioned senior commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was present in Washington, D.C., in October 2025.

In the letter, the Senators underscore the Committee's condemnation of the RSF's campaign of atrocities in Sudan and question why an individual sanctioned for those atrocities would be allowed into the United States. While the Senators support diplomatic efforts to broker a humanitarian ceasefire and bring an end to the conflict in Sudan, sanctioned individuals should not be allowed to continue business as usual in our nation's capital.

"We write to request information about the conditions under which Algoney Hamdan Dagalo Musa (Algoney) was in Washington, D.C. in October 2025," wrote the Senators. "As you know, Algoney is a senior commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), procurement director of the militia, and brother of RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (commonly referred to as "Hemedti"). The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Algoney in 2024 for his leadership role in the RSF's campaign of atrocities and forced displacement across Sudan."

"The State Department hosted a meeting on October 24, of 'the Quad', composed of the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)," continued the Senators. "This meeting featured direct engagements with representatives from the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) aimed at advancing peace and stability in Sudan. We understand that Algoney was in Washington, D.C. to represent the RSF at these Quad talks. However, Algoney reportedly remained in Washington after the conclusion of the Quad discussions, notably while the RSF was systematically massacring civilians in El Fasher, West Darfur, and preventing their escape from the city. Photos of Algoney socializing at the Waldorf Astoria, a five-star hotel, and walking on the streets of Washington, D.C. circulated social media from October 26-28."

"Unless authorized, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit a designated person from engaging with the U.S. economy," concluded the Senators. "Given the breadth and severity of OFAC restrictions, we request information about the conditions under which Algoney entered the United States, whether those conditions were adhered to, and any accommodations made to facilitate his stay in Washington."

To read the full text of the letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, click here.

To read the full text of the letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio click here.

To read the full text of the letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent click here.