Sanctions Committee for Sudan advises on potential targeted actions

The Chair of the council’s Committee established pursuant to a 2005 Resolution on Sudan reported an increase in violence against civilians, particularly in West Darfur, and violations of the arms embargo. South Korean ambassador Joonkook Hwang briefed the Security Council Committee on their work covering the period from December 13 to the present day. The committee released its annual report for 2023 and received reports from the Sudan Panel regarding violations of the arms embargo, international humanitarian and human rights laws, ethnically based recruitment by warring parties, and complex financing schemes by armed groups in Darfur. Sanctions may be imposed on those who commit violations and atrocities, as well as on parties and Member States who facilitate the transfer of arms to Darfur in violation of the arms embargo.

The sanctions regime imposed on Sudan by Resolution 1591 includes asset freezes and travel bans on designated individuals involved in the conflict in Darfur. Sudan’s envoy to the UN Security Council called for an end to the sanctions to allow the Sudanese government to better protect its civilians in the conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The envoy urged Member States to include those responsible for arming militias on the sanctions list, while Sudan would provide the Committee with names of foreign individuals involved in the provision of arms to militias. Resolution 2725 (2024) expresses Sudan’s commitment to work with the Council to end sanctions.

The representative of Algeria focused on the flow of weapons and ammunition to Darfur as mentioned in the briefing. He emphasized the embargo on arms and ammunition in the region and stated that those involved in trafficking arms could be sanctioned by the Council. He called for the identification and denunciation of those responsible for transporting arms within 90 days. Over 12,000 Sudanese are believed to have lost their lives since the conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese armed forces erupted in April the previous year. U.N. director of humanitarian operations, Edem Wosornu, informed the Security Council that Sudan might face the world’s worst hunger crisis, with 18 million people already experiencing acute food insecurity. Despite the urgent need for humanitarian aid, the U.N.’s appeal for $2.7 billion for Sudan is less than 5% funded, only receiving $131 million.

In conclusion, the Security Council Committee’s report highlights the increase in violence against civilians in West Darfur and violations of the arms embargo, prompting the possibility of targeted sanctions on those committing violations and atrocities. The sanctions regime imposed on Sudan includes asset freezes and travel bans on designated individuals involved in the conflict in Darfur. Sudan’s envoy to the UN Security Council called for an end to sanctions to allow the government to protect civilians better in the conflict with the RSF, urging Member States to name those arming militias on the sanctions list. The dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, with millions facing acute food insecurity, emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian aid and funding to address the growing crisis.