On September 3, 2026, a United Nations fact-finding mission released findings indicating that foreign weapons, military technology, fighters, and logistical networks are sustaining the conflict in Sudan. The mission determined that attacks by both parties to the conflict have violated international human rights law and international humanitarian law, with some conduct amounting to war crimes.

The report found both sides committed serious violations of international humanitarian law through indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure and deliberate targeting of non-combatants. Investigators established reasonable grounds to believe that a transnational network involving individuals and entities in the United Arab Emirates, Chad, Libya, and Somalia supplied the Rapid Support Forces with weapons, military equipment, logistics, training, and foreign personnel. Evidence indicates Colombian contractors played a significant role in operating and maintaining drone systems and other advanced weapons used by the Rapid Support Forces.

The mission assessed that the number of Colombian contractors involved may be as high as 2,000. Some were present during military operations around al-Fashir in Darfur. Colombia informed investigators it opposes mercenarism and is taking measures to prevent Colombian nationals from participating in foreign conflicts.

Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces committed serious violations through their use of drones, including attacks that killed civilians and struck hospitals, schools, markets, and displacement sites. More than 1,000 civilians were killed in drone strikes between January and May 2026, according to data collected by the mission.

Between May and July 2026, repeated drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces damaged critical infrastructure in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, including electricity and fuel facilities. These strikes disrupted water supplies, healthcare, transport, and other essential services in a city already under severe strain and partial siege. A strike by the Sudanese Armed Forces on Ad-Da'ein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people and rendered the facility non-functional, investigators found.

Foreign-supplied weapons were used in attacks on civilian locations, including Yabus Market in Blue Nile State. The United Arab Emirates denied providing military, logistical, financial, or political support to the Rapid Support Forces. Chad stated it maintains a neutral stance in the conflict and denied knowledge of weapons transfers through its territory.

The Rapid Support Forces has denied allegations of abuses, asserting the claims were fabricated by adversaries. The Sudanese Armed Forces has also previously rejected accusations of human rights violations. The fact-finding mission reiterated its call for enforcement of the Darfur arms embargo and urged the UN Security Council to extend the embargo to all of Sudan.

Investigators documented patterns of obstruction, including restricted access to conflict zones and interference with witness testimony. The mission emphasized that sustained external support prolongs the conflict and enables further atrocities. It recommended targeted sanctions against individuals and entities involved in arms trafficking and mercenary activities linked to the war. The full report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in October 2026.