US and UK push humanitarian truce and tougher arms sanctions at UN Security Council session on Sudan

The United States on Friday called for an immediate humanitarian truce in Sudan and an expansion of the UN arms embargo, as Britain urged tougher sanctions against those supplying weapons to the warring parties, at a Security Council session dominated by warnings over drone warfare.

“We need a humanitarian truce. Let me repeat that: we need a humanitarian truce,” US deputy ambassador to the UN Jeff Bartos told the council, adding that a ceasefire was essential to enable an inclusive political dialogue and transition to civilian-led government.

Mr Bartos warned that continued weapon supplies were fuelling the conflict and undermining peace efforts, and said Washington would “continue to push to expand the sanctions regime to better reflect the realities of a conflict that now spans the entire country”.

Britain’s deputy UN ambassador, Kate Foster, called for tougher sanctions against those supplying weapons to and financing Sudan’s warring parties. “The external support sustaining this conflict needs to end,” Ms Foster told the council. “The advancing drone capabilities we are witnessing are procured, financed, transferred and sustained through networks outside of Sudan.”

UN undersecretary general for political and peacebuilding affairs Rosemary DiCarlo demanded an immediate halt to drone attacks, warning they have become the leading cause of civilian casualties this year. UN data shows more than 1,100 people were killed by drone strikes across Sudan in the first half of this year. Ms DiCarlo said a mutual ban on drones had the “potential to dramatically improve protection for civilians” and proposed concrete commitments and operational arrangements to strictly regulate their use.

Fighting has intensified in recent weeks across the strategic Kordofan region as the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces battle for control of territory. Three and a half years of war have killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions from their homes.

Mr Bartos cited a strike on a displacement shelter in Blue Nile state last week, reportedly carried out by the RSF, that killed more than 30 displaced people. Ms DiCarlo condemned an October 3 drone strike that hit two lorries contracted by the World Food Programme and killed a driver, noting the lorries were clearly marked and had the required travel permits.

She warned, however, that the warring parties showed little willingness to negotiate. “They are not moving closer to dialogue. On the contrary, they seem to believe that they can make greater gains on the battlefield and that continued external support will allow them to pursue their objectives by force.”

The session follows an air strike that killed five children in an RSF-controlled town in North Kordofan on Thursday, according to the Emergency Lawyers rights group, which blamed the army.

Fact-check: Bartos truce call, Foster sanctions call, DiCarlo drone-halt demand — The National, 2026-10-16 (published 15:47Z), all direct quotes from council session; Bartos truce quote also in anews (AA), published 2026-10-17 05:28Z; 1,100 drone deaths H1 2026, Oct 3 WFP strike, Blue Nile shelter 30+ killed, five children North Kordofan Thursday, Burhan commitment to Trump — The National. Arms embargo expansion — Bartos per The National; anews corroborates truce + weapons-flow call.