The United Nations Human Rights Council condemns attacks on civilians in Sudan, calls for a ceasefire

The United Nations Human Rights Council has strongly condemned the attacks on the people of Sudan, particularly the airstrikes by unmanned drones and other attacks targeting civilian areas, calling on the warring parties to urgently cease hostilities.

The Council, composed of 47 countries, approved a resolution on Monday to extend the mandate of the independent international commission investigating violations and abuses occurring in Sudan, with the resolution supported by 28 countries, while 10 countries voted against it, and nine others abstained.

The resolution calls for a comprehensive, unconditional ceasefire , and also urges the establishment of an independent mechanism to monitor the ceasefire and the restoration of the country's essential infrastructure.

The Council stated that the conflict in Sudan has no military solution, accusing the warring parties of widespread violations of international humanitarian law.

Particular condemnation was directed at the indiscriminate attacks on civilians, airstrikes, and drone attacks that have resulted in civilian deaths and the destruction of vital facilities such as hospitals and schools.

The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been ongoing since April 2023, with estimates suggesting that tens of thousands of people have died, while more than 13 million people have been forced to flee their homes.

} The United Nations report indicates that drone strikes have killed more than 1,100 people in the first five months of this year alone.

On the other hand, the Human Rights Council has also condemned foreign interference that is exacerbating the conflict, stating that illegal financial networks, covert arms transfers, and foreign fighters are part of the factors intensifying the violence.

The independent committee investigating violations in Sudan has previously stated that the attack and capture of the city of El-Fasher , which was the last stronghold of forces in Darfur, had characteristics that the committee described as genocide.

Investigators reported that during the siege of the city, civilians were systematically denied food and medicine, followed by numerous killings, ethnic-based violence, and sexual assaults.

Nevertheless, the new resolution from the Human Rights Council comes as the war in Sudan enters its fourth year, while the people of that country face widespread displacement, food shortages, the collapse of health services, and increasing dangers arising from airstrikes and clashes between Sudanese forces and the RSF.