U.S. Proposes Nationwide Arms Embargo on Sudan, China and Russia Object at UN

Shibbir Ahmed, United Nations Headquarters, New York: The United States has proposed expanding the arms embargo to cover the entire territory of Sudan as part of efforts to increase pressure on the parties involved in the country’s ongoing civil war. In a draft resolution presented to the United Nations Security Council on Monday, Washington called for extending the existing arms restrictions beyond Darfur to the whole of Sudan, including measures aimed at stopping the transfer of drones and other weapons and military equipment.

The U.S. initiative is intended to prevent foreign military assistance from reaching the parties involved in the Sudan conflict and to pressure them to return to the negotiating table. U.S. officials have argued that military, financial and political support from outside countries has contributed to prolonging the war.

The proposal, however, has exposed divisions within the Security Council. China and Russia, both permanent members of the council, have raised objections to the U.S. initiative. As permanent members, both countries have veto power. Britain and France, meanwhile, have supported the U.S. proposal. Denmark, which holds the Security Council presidency this August, has also backed the initiative.

Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. According to the United Nations, the fighting has displaced millions of people and created a severe humanitarian crisis across large parts of the country. The protection of civilians and the need to end the conflict were also key issues raised during Monday’s Security Council meeting.

UN political and peacebuilding chief Rosemary DiCarlo warned the Security Council that the conflict in Sudan is worsening and that the warring parties continue to rely on military solutions. She called for stronger international action to help bring an end to the fighting.

If adopted, the U.S. proposal would pave the way for an international arms embargo covering the entire territory of Sudan, including restrictions on the supply of weapons, ammunition and military equipment. Preventing the transfer of modern military technologies, including drones, is also a key objective of the initiative.

However, opposition from China and Russia has created uncertainty over whether the proposal can secure enough support in the Security Council. The U.S. initiative has therefore emerged as a major point of diplomatic tension at the United Nations as international efforts continue to end Sudan’s devastating war.