On September 11, 2024, all 15 members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) agreed to extend the sanctions imposed on Sudan for another year. These sanctions, which include an arms embargo, asset freezes, and travel bans, will now remain in place until September 12, 2025. This decision underscores the ongoing international efforts to address the severe conflict in Sudan, a country grappling with a complex and worsening crisis.
Current Sanctions on Sudan and Their Impact
The UNSC’s decision to renew the sanctions reflects ongoing international concern about the situation in Sudan. The sanctions aim to limit the flow of weapons, financial resources, and other support to the warring parties in the country. Despite these measures, the conflict continues to wreak havoc on the lives of millions of Sudanese citizens. The report of the International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, which was turned in on September 5, suggested that the current arms embargo be extended to cover the whole country of Darfur. This suggestion was intended to curb the supply of arms and support to combatants, potentially preventing further escalation of the violence.
However, the proposal to broaden the sanctions was met with strong resistance from some UNSC members, particularly China and Russia. Russia argued that expanding the sanctions regime beyond Darfur would not contribute to peace and might even hinder efforts to resolve the conflict. Despite this disagreement, the existing sanctions remain in place, aiming to control the flow of arms and financial resources into Sudan.
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
The situation in there has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced by the ongoing conflict. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) update on September 9, 2024, the conflict has forced approximately 10.4 million people to flee their homes since April 2023. This figure includes 8 million internally displaced individuals and 2.2 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
The displacement has significantly impacted neighboring countries, particularly South Sudan, Chad, and Egypt. South Sudan, which shares a border with Sudan, has seen the largest number of displaced people, with nearly 800,000 Sudanese seeking refuge there. Chad, located to the west of Sudan and neighboring the Darfur region, has received over 640,000 displaced individuals. Egypt, situated to the north, has hosted 500,000 new arrivals. More than 55,000 Sudanese migrants have entered Uganda—a country without a border—through South Sudan.
The influx of refugees has put immense pressure on the host countries, which were already managing large refugee populations before the current crisis. The UNHCR report highlights the urgent need for additional support to provide essential services, including water, food, shelter, health care, and core relief items. Efforts are being made to register new arrivals, relocate people away from border areas, and address specific needs of vulnerable families and individuals, including unaccompanied children. Addressing gender-based violence and ensuring care for unaccompanied minors are also top priorities.
Violence and Human Rights Violations
The conflict has been marked by severe human rights violations and brutal violence. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group with roots in the Janjaweed militias, has been a major player in the conflict against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The RSF has been charged with sexual assault, including rape and sexual enslavement, as well as enlisting young people as child soldiers.
The SAF and RSF have both engaged in deliberate acts of violence directed towards particular ethnic communities. Reports indicate that the RSF has been particularly violent towards the Masalit community in West Darfur. The International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan’s report documents instances of rape, torture, and the destruction of property perpetrated by the RSF and allied militias. These actions contribute to the belief that both the SAF and RSF may be committing war crimes, given the extensive harm inflicted on civilians.
Despite the ongoing international attention and the sanctions imposed, the scale of human suffering in there continues to grow. The international community’s efforts, while aimed at mitigating the impact of the conflict, have yet to bring about a resolution to the crisis. The situation remains dire for the people of Sudan, who endure tremendous hardship as they face the repercussions of this prolonged conflict.
