The United States has urged the United Nations Security Council to expand its existing weapons restrictions in Darfur to cover the whole of Sudan, warning that continued foreign involvement could push the conflict deeper into the region.
Massad Boulos, US President Donald Trump’s senior envoy for Africa, called on the council to prevent financial and military assistance, including drones and associated technology, from reaching the rival forces fighting for control of the country.
The appeal comes as drone warfare intensifies between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with attacks increasingly hitting civilian areas and essential infrastructure.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced about 14 million people.
Any nationwide weapons ban would need approval from the Security Council.
However, Russia and China have opposed such a move, arguing that it could undermine the Sudanese military’s ability to operate effectively.
Sudan’s representative at the UN also rejected the proposal, saying restrictions could make it harder for government forces to protect civilians.
The army currently holds large parts of central and eastern Sudan, while the RSF maintains its main stronghold in Darfur and has gained control of territory farther south.
As diplomats debated the proposal, Sudanese military aircraft and drones reportedly struck RSF positions around Nyala, a major city in Darfur.
The city’s airport has emerged as an important supply centre for the paramilitary group, and the strikes occurred shortly after a large freight aircraft arrived there.
The existing Darfur arms embargo has been in force for more than 20 years and is due to lapse next month unless the council renews or modifies it.
However, analysts have questioned its effectiveness, noting that weapons have continued reaching the region despite the restrictions.
Darfur has endured some of the fiercest battles of the current war, while ethnic tensions reminiscent of the violence two decades ago have resurfaced.
UN investigators have said alleged abuses committed by RSF personnel during their seizure of el-Fasher last October bore characteristics associated with genocide.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the Security Council that recent fighting had involved extensive drone deployment.
Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN under-secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs, said civilians were enduring the consequences of an exceptionally severe humanitarian disaster.
She said unmanned aircraft operated by both factions had repeatedly hit commercial areas, educational facilities, petrol stations and water systems.
UN records indicate that around 1,100 civilians were killed in drone attacks between January and June this year.
DiCarlo said the overall number of people killed since the war started remained uncertain but was probably in the hundreds of thousands.
She also said the continued deployment of advanced weapons indicated that foreign assistance to the opposing camps remained active.
Boulos said Washington also wanted more specialists deployed to oversee implementation of the existing restrictions.
He urged the council to target outside powers contributing to the fighting, warning that their involvement could draw neighbouring states and other regional governments further into the crisis.
Sudanese army commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan dismissed the prospect of additional international sanctions, saying such discussions would not weaken his forces or their determination.
Several countries have been linked by investigators to weapons reaching Sudan.
Amnesty International has previously reported finding evidence of arms produced in Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates being used during the conflict.
The UAE has faced allegations of supplying weapons and other assistance to the RSF, while the paramilitary organisation has been accused of using the Gulf state as a hub for selling gold obtained through illicit channels.
Both sides have denied the accusations.
Sudan’s armed forces have deployed drones supplied by Turkey and Iran and have received diplomatic and other forms of support from Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The army and RSF were once partners.
They jointly seized power in a 2021 coup but later became rivals after disagreements emerged over an international initiative aimed at restoring civilian government.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong