US pushes UN to broaden Darfur arms ban across all of Sudan

During a UN Security Council session, US envoy Massad Boulos presented a plan to expand the existing Darfur arms embargo to the entire Sudanese territory and to cover unmanned aerial vehicles and related technologies. He argued that outside financial and military assistance is sustaining the fighting between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces and could draw neighboring states into the war. UN political affairs chief Rosemary Di Carlo highlighted the growing complexity of the conflict and the presence of sophisticated weaponry, while humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher noted a recent surge in drone use.

Sudan’s representative Al-Harith Idriss al-Harith Mohamed urged a “technical extension” of the current ban but warned that broader sanctions might undermine civilian protection, and Russia signaled skepticism about any changes that could affect the army’s capability. The Darfur embargo, in place for twenty years, is set to lapse on September 12, 2026 unless renewed, and any expansion would require a Security Council vote.