The United Nations Security Council has extended the arms embargo on Sudan’s Darfur region for another year due to ongoing violence and human rights concerns.
The Council unanimously decided on Wednesday to prolong the sanctions, which include an arms embargo, asset freezes, and travel bans, until September 12, 2025. These sanctions, initially established in 2005, are currently imposed on only three individuals.
The decision reflects the international community’s concern for the safety of Darfur’s population. Despite the sanctions targeting only Darfur and not the entirety of Sudan, the extension is expected to help limit the flow of weapons into the region. This move is seen as a step toward restoring stability and security in Sudan.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a war between the country’s army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 10 million people, according to reports from the United Nations.
Concerns are mounting that the ongoing war could escalate into a new ethnic conflict, particularly in Darfur, which experienced a brutal civil war two decades ago. The region saw the rise of the Janjaweed militias during that time, which later evolved into the RSF.
While Sudan continues to advocate for the lifting of UN sanctions, major powers such as China and Russia supported the extension of the embargo.
These countries had previously abstained from a similar vote in March 2023. By supporting the extension, the UN aims to reduce the flow of illegal arms into the region, although diplomatic efforts remain critical for resolving the larger conflict.
