The UN Human Rights Council has condemned attacks on civilians in Sudan and called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that there is “no military solution to the crisis” in the country.
The 47-member council adopted a resolution on Monday extending the mandate of its independent international fact-finding mission for Sudan.
The resolution passed by 28 votes to 10, with nine abstentions.
It called for “an immediate and complete ceasefire by all parties, without preconditions”, as well as an independent monitoring mechanism and the restoration of basic infrastructure.
The council condemned widespread violations of international humanitarian law by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
It cited “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 statement came as the World Food Programme (WFP) said an air attack had struck a truck carrying food supplies in North Kordofan, killing one person.
The WFP said the convoy was travelling between Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan when it was hit.
The agency said the attack damaged life-saving food supplies and killed one driver.
The vehicles were clearly marked with official humanitarian logos, the WFP said.
The attack took place on Saturday, 24 hours after another WFP vehicle detonated an explosive device in Dilling following a food distribution operation.
“Humanitarian workers and aid assets are not targets,” the WFP said, calling for a transparent investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable under international law.
The UN council also condemned foreign involvement in Sudan’s war, warning that illicit financial networks, illegal arms transfers and foreign mercenaries continue to fuel the fighting.
Sudan urged member states to reject the resolution, saying the council had failed to take its reservations into account.
The war between Sudan’s army and the RSF began in April 2023 and has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 13 million, according to estimates cited by human rights groups.
Both sides have 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 this year alone.
The fact-finding mission, which investigates alleged 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”.
El-Fasher was the last major military stronghold in Darfur to fall after a months-long siege.
Investigators said civilians were systematically deprived of food and medicine before facing mass summary executions.
They also documented ethnic killings targeting mainly non-Arab groups, widespread sexual violence and the destruction of medical facilities.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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