The UN Human Rights Council condemned drone strikes and other attacks on civilians in Sudan and extended its independent fact-finding mission by a 28–10 vote (nine abstentions). The resolution demands an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, independent monitoring and restoration of essential services. Investigators said the RSF’s siege of el‑Fasher bore "the hallmarks of genocide," while UN data shows more than 1,100 people were killed by drone strikes in five months. The World Food Programme reported an airstrike on a clearly marked aid convoy that killed a driver and called for a transparent investigation.
UN Human Rights Council Condemns Drone Strikes on Civilians in Sudan, Demands Immediate Ceasefire
Soldiers are seen at the Khartoum international airport during a reception for the Darfur governor and leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Minni Arko Minnawi [File: Ebrahim Hamid/AFP]
The United Nations Human Rights Council has strongly condemned drone strikes and other attacks on civilians in Sudan, urging all warring parties that there is no military solution to the country’s crisis.
On Monday in Geneva, the 47-member council adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of its independent international fact-finding mission on Sudan by a vote of 28 to 10, with nine abstentions. Sudan urged member states to reject the measure, saying the council had not taken its concerns into account.
The resolution demanded "an immediate and complete ceasefire by all parties, without preconditions," called for an independent monitoring mechanism, and urged the urgent restoration of basic services and critical infrastructure.
It condemned widespread violations of international humanitarian law by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), citing "indiscriminate attacks against civilians" and "indiscriminate aerial bombardments and drone strikes resulting in civilian deaths and the destruction of critical infrastructure," including schools and hospitals.
The council noted that both sides have markedly increased their use of drones in recent months. United Nations figures cited by the body show drone strikes killed more than 1,100 people in the first five months of this year alone.
Members also condemned external interference in the conflict, warning that illicit financial networks, illegal arms transfers and foreign mercenaries continue to fuel the fighting.
The independent fact-finding mission — which gathers evidence of abuses by both sides — concluded in February that the RSF’s siege and capture of the North Darfur capital, el-Fasher, bore "the hallmarks of genocide." Investigators documented months-long sieges in which civilians were systematically deprived of food and medicine, followed by mass summary executions, targeted ethnic killings largely aimed at non-Arab communities, widespread sexual violence and the destruction of medical facilities.
Separately, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that an airstrike struck a truck carrying humanitarian supplies in North Kordofan, killing one driver and damaging life-saving food. The convoy was travelling between Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan; the WFP said its vehicles were clearly marked with humanitarian emblems. The attack occurred on Saturday, 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, calling for a transparent investigation to identify perpetrators and hold them accountable under international law.
The council’s resolution and the WFP’s reports together underscore the urgent humanitarian and legal crises unfolding in Sudan since fighting began in April 2023, which rights groups estimate has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than 13 million people.
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