UN rights council condemns attacks on civilians in Sudan, calls for truce | Sudan war News
UN Human Rights Council Demands Ceasefire in Sudan Amid Growing Violence
GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations Human Rights Council condemned recent drone strikes and other attacks on civilians in Sudan, emphasizing that there is “no military solution” to the ongoing conflict. This statement was issued on Monday, coinciding with a report from the World Food Programme (WFP) detailing an airstrike that struck a food supply truck in North Kordofan, resulting in one death.
In a recent session, the 47-member Human Rights Council voted 28 to 10, with nine abstentions, to extend the mandate of its independent international fact-finding mission for Sudan. The Sudanese government urged member states to reject the resolution, arguing that the council overlooked its concerns regarding the situation.
The conflict between Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has escalated since April 2023, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing an estimated 13 million people, according to human rights organizations.
The resolution called for “an immediate and complete ceasefire by all parties, without preconditions,” as well as the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism and the restoration of basic infrastructure in the affected regions.
The council condemned ongoing violations of international humanitarian law by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, highlighting indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including aerial bombardments and drone strikes that have resulted in civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals.
In recent months, there has been a notable increase in drone usage by both factions. According to UN statistics, over 1,100 people were killed in drone strikes in just the first five months of 2026.
The resolution also addressed foreign interference in the conflict, with the council warning that illicit financial networks, illegal arms transfers, and foreign mercenaries continue to exacerbate the hostilities.
The fact-finding mission, which collects evidence of abuses from both sides, reported in February that the RSF’s siege and eventual capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, exhibited “the hallmarks of genocide.” Investigators discovered systematic deprivation of food and medical supplies, along with mass executions targeting non-Arab populations, widespread sexual violence, and the destruction of healthcare facilities during the siege.
Meanwhile, the WFP confirmed that the recent airstrike on its convoy traveling between Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan resulted in the death of one driver and damaged essential food supplies. The agency noted that its vehicles were clearly marked with humanitarian logos at the time of the attack, which occurred on Saturday. This strike followed another incident where an explosive device detonated near a WFP vehicle in Dilling post a food distribution event.
The WFP underscored that “humanitarian workers and aid assets are not targets” and called for a transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable under international law.
