The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Thursday, June 13, demanding that Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) immediately cease their siege of El Fasher, the only capital in Darfur’s vast western region not under their control, where over a million people are reportedly trapped.
The British-sponsored resolution, which passed with a 14-0 vote and Russia abstaining, calls for both the RSF and Sudanese military to pursue an immediate cessation of hostilities, aiming to end their over year-long conflict.
The resolution expresses “grave concern” over escalating violence and credible reports of the RSF carrying out “ethnically motivated violence” in El Fasher and previously in El Geneina, West Darfur.
British U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward emphasized the resolution’s urgency, stating it sends a clear message that the RSF must “immediately stop the siege of El Fasher and that all sides step back from the brink.” She warned that an attack on the city would be catastrophic for the 1.5 million people sheltering there, calling for an end to the brutal conflict.
Sudan has been embroiled in conflict since mid-April 2023, when long-standing tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders erupted in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including Darfur. The U.N. reports over 14,000 deaths and 33,000 injuries since the conflict began.
Two decades ago, Darfur became notorious for genocide and war crimes, primarily by the Janjaweed Arab militias against populations identifying as Central or East African. Up to 300,000 people were killed, and 2.7 million were displaced. This dark legacy appears to be resurfacing, with the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, stating in January that there are grounds to believe both sides may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide in Darfur.
The RSF, formed from Janjaweed fighters by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, faces demands in the resolution to protect civilians and allow safe movement within and out of El Fasher. Al-Bashir, overthrown during a 2019 uprising, is wanted by the ICC for genocide and other crimes from the 2000s Darfur conflict.
The resolution calls for all nations to cease interference that exacerbates the conflict and instability, instead of supporting peace efforts. It also reminds countries supplying weapons to combatants that they are violating a U.N. arms embargo and could face sanctions.
U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo highlighted the role of foreign weapons in fueling the conflict, calling the continued flouting of U.N. sanctions “illegal, immoral, and it must stop.” While she did not name specific foreign supporters, the resolution points to significant external involvement.
Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, leading Sudan since a 2021 military takeover, is allied with Egypt and President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. In February, Sudan’s foreign minister engaged in talks with Iran amid reports of drone purchases for government forces. Meanwhile, RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo has reportedly received support from Russia’s Wagner mercenary group and has established military supply lines through Chad, Libya, and South Sudan.
As the international community watches, the urgency to resolve the conflict and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur remains critical.
