UN Mission Urges Wider Sudan Arms Embargo, Citing War Crimes

The UN’s Sudan fact-finding mission, led by Mohamed Chande Othman, on Monday urged the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, to expand the Darfur arms embargo to the entire country and extend its mandate, warning that foreign support is sustaining a war where both sides may have committed war crimes. This significant development highlights the mission's concerns that violations documented in Sudan may amount to international crimes, with potential responsibility extending to those who finance, supply, or otherwise enable the warring parties. The mission specifically noted the devastating impact of drones, fuelled by external support in the form of weapons, logistics, and personnel, on civilians and essential services, and is continuing investigations into attacks in El Obeid, Kadugli, Ed Daein, and Yabus. The Sudanese government, however, rejects the equivalence of the warring parties and attributes the conflict's prolongation to external backing for the Rapid Support Forces, while the mission's investigation into external support for the Sudanese Armed Forces is ongoing.