The United Nations Security Council is set to deliberate on Monday over a proposed resolution urging an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan, where ongoing conflict between two rival military leaders continues unabated.
A draft resolution, prepared by Britain and Sierra Leone, calls on the warring factions to immediately cease hostilities and engage, in good faith, in dialogue to agree on steps to de-escalate the conflict and urgently establish a national ceasefire.
Sudan has been embroiled in turmoil since April 2023, following clashes between the regular army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who took power in a 2021 coup, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, his former deputy.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 11 million people, including 3.1 million who have fled Sudan, according to UN estimates.
Violence has intensified in recent weeks, with both factions appearing confident of a military victory, noted Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. The war has inflicted severe hardship on civilians, leaving 26 million people facing acute food shortages, while both sides stand accused of committing acts of sexual violence.
The draft resolution urges both parties to honour past commitments to protect civilians, prevent conflict-related sexual violence, and ensure rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access across Sudan.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who will chair Monday’s session, has pledged to push for a resolution that prioritises civilian protection and unimpeded aid delivery.
Although diplomats remain optimistic about the resolution’s adoption, Russia’s position—critical as a veto-holding member of the Council—remains uncertain.
One diplomat observed that Russia appeared to be aligning more closely with General Burhan’s camp during negotiations.
The draft text also urges member states to refrain from external interference that exacerbates conflict and instability and calls for adherence to the arms embargo on Darfur.
Sudan has accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying arms to the RSF, a claim denied by Abu Dhabi.
Even if the resolution is adopted, its effectiveness is uncertain. Previous Security Council calls for ceasefires during Ramadan and for ending the RSF’s siege of El-Fasher yielded little tangible impact.
The draft also requests UN Secretary-General António Guterres to explore the establishment of a surveillance and verification system to monitor any potential ceasefire. However, Guterres has expressed scepticism, recently stating that current conditions in Sudan do not support the deployment of a UN force to safeguard civilians.
