Sudan: US Proposes Expanding UN Arms Embargo to Cover Entire Country

The United States has put forward a proposal to broaden the existing United Nations arms embargo, currently focused on Darfur, to cover the entirety of Sudan. The announcement came from US Envoy Massad Boulos during a UN Security Council meeting in New York.

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The brutality of the war waged by the Rapid Support Forces [RSF] and the Sudanese Armed Forces has discredited their claims to be legitimate governors of the Sudanese people

Boulos condemned the "brutality of the war waged by the Rapid Support Forces [RSF] and the Sudanese Armed Forces," stating that their actions have discredited their claims to legitimate governance. He issued a stark warning that "external financial and military support is fueling the conflict and risks drawing neighboring states deeper into war." The US proposal aims to expand the embargo not only geographically but also materially, specifically including unmanned aerial vehicles and related technologies. Furthermore, the plan includes increasing the number of experts tasked with monitoring the embargo.

The current Darfur embargo has been in place for two decades and is set to expire on September 12, 2026, unless it is amended or renewed. Any expansion would necessitate a vote within the Security Council.

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external financial and military support is fueling the conflict and risks drawing neighboring states deeper into war.

In response, Sudan's UN envoy, Al-Harith Idriss al-Harith Mohamed, urged council members to support a "technical extension" of the existing embargo. He cautioned against any modifications that might impede the Sudanese army's capabilities, arguing that while Sudan suffers greatly from the flow of weapons, expanding sanctions could weaken civilian protection. Russia, a permanent member with veto power, has also voiced reservations, suggesting that an expanded embargo could affect the Sudanese army's effectiveness.

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Sudan suffers the most from weapons and their illegal flow. However, expanding such a sanctions regime will weaken the protection of civilians

UN officials have noted the increasing complexity of the conflict. Rosemary Di Carlo, UN Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, highlighted the presence of "sophisticated weaponry" as evidence of ongoing external support to both warring parties. Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian chief, pointed to the recent heavy use of drones and ground combat in specific areas, indicating a concerning escalation in the fighting. The war, now in its fourth year, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions.

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Sophisticated weaponry continues to point to ongoing external support to both parties.