UN rights council condemns attacks on civilians in Sudan, demands immediate ceasefire

The United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned drone strikes and other attacks on civilians in Sudan, demanding “an immediate and complete ceasefire by all parties, without preconditions”, Al Jazeera and the Associated Press report.

The 47-member council, meeting in Geneva on Monday, voted 28 to 10, with nine abstentions, to extend the mandate of its independent international fact-finding mission for Sudan. Sudan’s government had urged member states to reject the resolution, saying the council failed to take its reservations into account.

The resolution also called for an independent monitoring mechanism and the restoration of basic infrastructure, and condemned outside interference in the war, including illicit financial networks, illegal arms transfers and foreign mercenaries.

It condemned widespread violations of international humanitarian law by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, citing indiscriminate attacks on civilians and drone strikes that have destroyed schools and hospitals. UN figures show drone strikes killed more than 1,100 people in the first five months of 2026.

The vote came as the World Food Programme said an airstrike on Saturday hit its convoy travelling between Dilling and Kadugli, killing one driver and damaging food supplies. The agency said its vehicles were clearly marked with humanitarian logos, and demanded a transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable under international law.

The war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than 13 million people, according to estimates cited by human rights groups.