The United States is urging increased U.N. sanctions against warring parties in Sudan. A proposed U.S. resolution before the U.N. Security Council would expand the arms embargo throughout Sudan.

The draft measure applies to all parties operating in the territory of Sudan. It reaffirms that drones and related technologies are part of the arms embargo. The U.S. draft resolution deplores the continuous influx of external military assistance, weapons, and ammunition to the warring parties. It demands that all countries cease any direct or indirect support to the warring parties, be it logistical, financial or military.

Massad Boulos, senior adviser for Arab and African affairs to President Donald Trump, addressed the U.N. Security Council on Monday. "Financial, military, and political support given to either Sudanese government forces or the Rapid Support Forces remains a driver of the conflict," Boulos said.

The fighting in Sudan has killed at least 59,000 people. The conflict in Sudan has displaced approximately 13 million people. Egypt has been a vocal supporter of Sudan’s military.

The United Arab Emirates is accused by U.N. experts and human rights groups of providing arms to the Rapid Support Forces. The United Arab Emirates has repeatedly denied providing arms to the Rapid Support Forces.

Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan stated that new sanctions would not deter his troops from continuing the war until all RSF-controlled areas are captured. "Our souls and destiny are in God’s hands," Burhan said. He added, "The people will not be broken, but we will break and defeat you."

U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that the parties remain locked in a zero-sum military logic. DiCarlo stated that greater international attention and action are urgently needed for the parties to change their calculus.

Why It Matters

The scale of the humanitarian crisis reflects the urgency of the diplomatic effort. At least 59,000 people have died, and approximately 13 million have been displaced. The proposed resolution targets the external support that fuels the fighting, including logistical, financial, and military aid. Accusations against regional actors highlight the complexity of enforcing such measures.

The conflict emerged from a power struggle following the military ouster of President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. Tensions escalated three years after 2019 between Sudan’s military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and RSF commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The Rapid Support Forces originated as auxiliary force militias known as the Janjaweed used by the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur. The Sudanese government restructured these militias as a paramilitary organization in August 2013 under the command of Muhammad Dagalo.

Timeline

Burhan said, "Our souls and destiny are in God’s hands." He also said, "The people will not be broken, but we will break and defeat you." On the same day, Massad Boulos, senior adviser for Arab and African affairs to President Donald Trump, addressed the U.N. Security Council on Monday.

Boulos noted that financial, military, and political support given to either Sudanese government forces or the Rapid Support Forces remains a driver of the conflict.

What's New

Additional reporting provides context on the origins of the warring factions. The Sudanese government restructured the Janjaweed militias as a paramilitary organization, the Rapid Support Forces, in August 2013 under the command of Muhammad Dagalo. Abdel-Fattah Burhan is President of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) originated as auxiliary force militias known as the Janjaweed used by the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur.