US urges humanitarian truce and wider arms embargo to end Sudan war
The United States has urged the United Nations Security Council to push for a humanitarian truce in Sudan and expand an arms embargo as fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to kill civilians and disrupt aid deliveries. US representative to the UN for management and reform Jeff Bartos made […]
The United States has demanded a humanitarian pause and a broader arms embargo on Sudan to halt the ongoing conflict and address the escalating civilian risks. US UN representative Jeff Bartos made the call on Friday, urging the Security Council to take immediate action to cease hostilities and restrict weapons deliveries. Bartos warned that the continuous fighting is intolerable, with civilians facing threats from airstrikes, drone attacks, hunger, and famine.
The US representative urged the international body to enact a more comprehensive arms embargo to heighten the economic burden on the warring factions and impede their military support. He also advocated for unhindered humanitarian access, including air transport for aid workers in Darfur, to expedite relief operations.
Bartos highlighted recent attacks on a displacement shelter in Blue Nile State, which reportedly killed over 30 internally displaced people, and an attack on a World Food Programme convoy that resulted in the death of a driver. These incidents underscore the ongoing dangers for civilians and aid workers amid the conflict. He cited the need for an inclusive process leading to civilian-led governance to restore peace, rather than merely stopping the fighting.
China and Russia opposed expanding the arms embargo, with China's ambassador arguing that existing sanctions should be enforced and external military support halted, fearing that widening the embargo could exacerbate the crisis and heighten the risk of Sudan's division. Russia's ambassador maintained that the current measures were adequate to target those responsible for violence and violations of international law.
Sudan's UN ambassador called for the RSF to withdraw from civilian facilities and homes to designated assembly points under international oversight, as well as the removal of foreign mercenaries and an end to financial and weapons support for the paramilitary group. Despite the disagreements, the Security Council expressed support for civilian protection and humanitarian assistance.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
