The United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned drone strikes and other attacks on civilians in Sudan, stating that there is "no military solution to the crisis" in the country. This statement was issued on Monday as the World Food Programme reported that an air attack had struck a truck carrying food supplies in North Kordofan, resulting in one fatality.
In Geneva, the 47-member council adopted a resolution extending the mandate of its independent international fact-finding mission for Sudan with a vote of 28 in favor, 10 against, and nine abstentions. Sudan's government urged member states to reject the resolution, claiming that the council did not consider its reservations.
The ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 13 million people, according to estimates from human rights organizations.
The resolution demands an immediate and complete ceasefire by all parties, without preconditions, as well as the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism and the restoration of basic infrastructure. It also condemned widespread violations of international humanitarian law by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, citing "indiscriminate attacks against civilians" and "indiscriminate aerial bombardments and drone strikes resulting in civilian deaths and the destruction of critical infrastructure," including schools and hospitals.
Both sides have significantly increased their use of drones in recent months, with UN figures indicating that drone strikes killed more than 1,100 individuals in the first five months of the year.
The council further condemned external interference in the conflict, warning that illicit financial networks, illegal arms transfers, and foreign mercenaries continue to exacerbate the fighting. The fact-finding mission, which collects evidence of abuses from both sides, concluded in February that the RSF’s siege and capture of the North Darfur capital, el-Fasher, exhibited "the hallmarks of genocide."
Investigators found that civilians were systematically deprived of food and medicine before facing mass summary executions, documenting ethnic killings primarily targeting non-Arab groups, widespread sexual violence, and the destruction of medical facilities.
Additionally, the WFP reported that the airstrike on its convoy traveling between Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan killed one driver and damaged essential food supplies. The agency emphasized that the vehicles were clearly marked with official humanitarian logos. This attack occurred on Saturday, just one day after another WFP vehicle was involved in an explosive incident in Dilling following a food distribution.
The WFP stated, "Humanitarian workers and aid assets are not targets," and called for a transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable under international law.