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U.N.S.C. Resolutions on The Internal Armed Conflict in Sudan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 January 2026

James L. Bischoff
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Type
International Legal Documents
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International Legal Materials , Volume 65 , Issue 1 , February 2026 , pp. 1 - 13
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of American Society of International Law

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Footnotes

*

Of the Editorial Advisory Committee. Assistant Legal Adviser for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State. Adjunct Professor of International Law, Georgetown University Law Center, United States. The views expressed herein are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Government more broadly. The author thanks Emma Broches and Mark Simonoff for helpful input.

References

Notes

1 Why Sudan’s War is the World’s Problem, Economist (Aug. 31, 2024), at 9. As of the time this note went to publication, a ceasefire in Gaza had recently been implemented. See A New Beginning, Economist (Oct. 11, 2025), at 9.

2 Natasha Booty & Farouk Chothia, Sudan War: A Simple Guide to What Is Happening, BBC, Oct. 29, 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjel2nn22z9o.

3 Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan (May 11, 2023), https://2021-2025.state.gov/jeddah-declaration-of-commitment-to-protect-the-civilians-of-sudan/.

4 Misery, Expanded, Economist (June 21, 2025), at 46; Booty & Chothia, supra note 2.

5 Clémence Chbat, “The Hidden Wounds of Sexual Violence in Sudan’s War,” Doctors Without Borders (Apr. 17, 2024), https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/hidden-wounds-sexual-violence-sudans-war.

6 Press Release, U.N. Food & Agric. Org., FAO Calls for Urgent Action to Address Widening Famine in Sudan (Jan. 6, 2025), https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/fao-calls-for-urgent-action-to-address-widening-famine-in-sudan/en?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

7 See Jacob Katz Cogan (ed.), Secretary of State Blinken Concludes that the Rapid Support Forces Have Committed Genocide in Sudan, 119 Am. J. Int’l L. 338 (2025).

8 The Other Hunger Crisis, Economist (Aug. 7, 2025), at 45; see also infra text accompanying notes 24–35.

9 See infra text accompanying notes 72–73.

10 Misery, Expanded, supra note 4, at 46 (discussing UAE, Chad, South Sudan, and Kenya support for RSF and Egypt, Russia, Turkey, and Iran support for SAF).

11 See, e.g., U.N.S.C. Res. 1556, ¶¶ 6–9 (July 30, 2004) (demanding disarmament of Janjaweed militias and imposing arms embargo); U.N.S.C. Res. 1593, ¶ 1 (Mar. 31, 2005) (referring Darfur situation to International Criminal Court).

12 See, e.g., U.N.S.C. Res. 1590, ¶ 1 (Mar. 25, 2005) (establishing peacekeeping mission in Sudan); U.N.S.C. Res. 1997, ¶ 1 (July 11, 2011) (withdrawing mission); U.N.S.C. Res. 1990, ¶ 1 (June 27, 2011) (establishing peacekeeping mission in Sudan–South Sudan disputed border region); U.N.S.C. Res. 2760, ¶ 1 (Nov. 14, 2024) (renewing mandate); U.N.S.C. Res. 1996, ¶ 1 (July 8, 2011) (establishing peacekeeping mission in post-independence South Sudan); U.N.S.C. Res. 2799, ¶ 1 (May 8, 2025) (renewing mandate).

13 See, e.g., U.N.S.C. Res. 1591, ¶ 3 (Mar. 29, 2025) (expanding arms embargo in Darfur and establishing monitoring committee); U.N.S.C Res. 2791, ¶ 1 (Sept. 12, 2025) (latest extension of Resolution 1591 sanctions); U.N.S.C. Res. 2206, ¶¶ 6, 9, 12, 16 (Mar. 3, 2015) (imposing targeted sanctions in South Sudan and establishing monitoring committee); U.N.S.C. Res. 2428, ¶¶ 4, 12 (July 13, 2018) (extending Resolution 2206 sanctions and imposing arms embargo on South Sudan); U.N.S.C. Res. 2781, ¶ 1 (May 30, 2025) (latest extension of Resolution 2206 and 2428 sanctions).

14 See, e.g., Security Council Press Statement on Sudan, SC/16144 (Aug. 13, 2025) [hereinafter Aug. 2025 U.N.S.C. Press Statement]; Security Council Press Statement on Sudan, SC/16086 (June 12, 2025); Security Council Press Statement on Sudan, SC/16046 (Apr. 17, 2025); Security Council Press Statement on Sudan, SC/16012 (Mar. 5, 2025).

15 U.N.S.C. Res. 2724, pmbl. ¶ 5, ¶ 1 (Mar. 8, 2024).

16 Id. ¶ 2.

17 Id. pmbl. ¶ 6. For more on these entities’ involvement, see infra text accompanying notes 52–62.

18 Id. ¶ 3.

19 U.N. SCOR, 9568th Mtg. at 2–3, U.N. Doc. S/PV.9568 (Mar. 8, 2024).

20 U.N.S.C. Res. 2724, supra note 15, pmbl. ¶ 1.

21 U.N. SCOR, 9568th Mtg., supra note 19, at 2.

22 Sudan: Vote on a Draft Resolution, Sec. Council Rep. (Mar. 8, 2024), https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2024/03/sudan-vote-on-a-draft-resolution.php.

23 U.N. SCOR, 9568th Mtg., supra note 19, at 3.

24 U.N.S.C. Res. 2736, June 13, 2024, ¶ 1.

25 Id. ¶ 3.

26 See Sudan: Vote on a Draft Resolution, supra note 22.

27 U.N.S.C. Res. 2736, supra note 24, ¶ 3.

28 Id. pmbl. ¶ 5.

29 Id. ¶ 6.

30 Sudan: Vote on a Draft Resolution, supra note 22.

31 U.N.S.C. Res. 2736, supra note 24, ¶ 9.

32 Sudan: Vote on a Draft Resolution, Sec. Council Rep. (June 13, 2024), https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2024/06/sudan-vote-on-a-draft-resolution-2.php.

33 U.N. SCOR, 9655th Mtg. at 5–6, U.N. Doc. S/PV.9655 (Jun. 13, 2024).

34 Id. at 6.

35 Id.

36 Sierra Leone and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Draft Resolution, ¶ 1, U.N. Doc. S/2024/826 (Nov. 18, 2024).

37 Id. ¶ 2.

38 Id. ¶ 4.

39 Id. ¶ 5.

40 Id. ¶ 13.

41 Id. ¶ 14.

42 See Sudan: Vote on a Draft Resolution, Sec. Council Rep. (Nov. 17, 2024), https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2024/11/103323.php (detailing these negotiations).

43 U.N. SCOR, 9786th Mtg. at 3, U.N. Doc. S/PV.9786 (Nov. 18, 2024).

44 Id. at 2.

45 Id. Lammy’s strident disposition and Polyanskiy’s disdainful reaction are evident in the video of the meeting, https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1u/k1ujdmywhg at 2:30.

46 U.N. SCOR, 9786th Mtg., supra note 43, at 8.

47 Id. at 5.

48 Id. at 6.

49 Id. at 7.

50 Id. at 5–6.

51 See supra note 14 (citing press statements).

52 See generally Afr. Union, Timeline of Diplomatic Efforts, at https://amaniafrica-et.org/au-timeline-of-diplomatic-efforts/.

53 See, e.g., Afr. Union, Communiqué of the 1261st Meeting of the Peace and Security Council on the Consideration of the Situation in Sudan (Feb. 14, 2025), https://www.peaceau.org/en/article/communique-of-the-1261st-meeting-of-the-peace-and-security-council-held-on-14-february-2025-on-the-consideration-of-the-situation-in-sudan.

54 Afr. Union, Communiqué, ¶ 10 (Apr. 20, 2023), https://peaceau.org/uploads/com-the-ministerial-special-session-on-sudan-20-april-2023.pdf.

55 See, e.g., Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Sudan, ACHPR.Res.588 (LXXIX) (June 3, 2024), https://achpr.au.int/en/adopted-resolutions/human-rights-situation-republic-sudan-achprres588lxxix-2024.

56 Resolution ACHPR/Res. 590 (LXXX) 2024 on the Joint Fact-Finding Mission to the Republic of Sudan, pmbl. ¶ 4, ACHPR/Res.590 (LXXX) (Aug. 2, 2024), https://achpr.au.int/en/adopted-resolutions/achprres590-lxxx-2024-resolution-achprres590-lxxx-2024-joint-fact-finding (noting prior resolutions since beginning of Sudan conflict), pmbl. ¶¶ 9–10 (noting concerns about gross human rights violations); id. ¶ 1 (establishing joint factfinding mission with AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security); Resolution on the Extension of the Mandate of the Joint Fact-Finding Mission (JFM) on the Human Rights Situation in Sudan, pmbl. ¶ 1, ACHPR/Res.635 (LXXXIII) (May 22, 2025), https://achpr.au.int/en/adopted-resolutions/635-achprres635-lxxxiii2025 (extending mandate to November 2025).

57 Afr. Comm’n on Hum. & Peoples’ Rts., Report of the Virtual Joint Fact-Finding Mission on the Human Rights Situation in the Sudan, ¶ 11 (July 16, 2025), https://achpr.au.int/en/documents/2025-10-21/fact-finding-mission-human-rights-situation-sudan.

58 Id. ¶ 256.

59 Id. at 99, ¶¶ 1, 6.

60 H.R.C. Res. 54/2, Responding to the Human Rights and Humanitarian Crisis Caused by the Ongoing Armed Conflict in the Sudan, ¶ 18 (Oct. 11, 2023) (appointing three-member factfinding mission to investigate human rights and IHL violations in Sudan); H.R.C. Res. 57/2, Responding to the Human Rights and Humanitarian Crisis Caused by the Ongoing Armed Conflict in the Sudan, ¶ 15 (Oct. 14, 2024) (renewing factfinding mission); Mohamed Othman, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, “Oral Update by the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan” (June 17, 2025), https://gchragd.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Fact-Finding-Mission-on-Sudan.pdf.

61 See, e.g., Eur. Council Decision 2023/2135, Concerning Restrictive Measures in View of Activities Undermining the Stability and Political Transition of Sudan (Oct. 9, 2023) (establishing framework for asset freezes and travel bans); Eur. Council Decision 2025/1481, Amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 Concerning Restrictive Measures in View of Activities Undermining the Stability and Political Transition of Sudan (July 18, 2025) (latest amendments to sanctions regime adding sanctioned entities).

62 Intergovernmental Auth. on Dev., Final Communiqué of the 14th IGAD Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government (June 12, 2023), https://igad.int/final-communique-of-the-14th-ordinary-session-of-the-igad-assembly-of-heads-of-state-and-government-djibouti-republic-of-djibouti-12th-june-2023/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

63 See, e.g., Media Note, U.S. State Dep’t, Joint Statement on Restoring Peace and Security in Sudan (Sept. 12, 2025), https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/joint-statement-on-restoring-peace-and-security-in-sudan. The AU Commission and IGAD Quartet have endorsed the Quad’s efforts. Press Release, Afr. Union, Afr. Union Com’n (UAC) and Intergovernmental Auth. on Dev. (IGAD) Welcome the QUAD Outcome on Sudan (Sept. 14, 2025), https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20250914/auc-and-igad-welcome-quad-outcome-sudan?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

64 See, e.g., Sudan’s Burhan Rejects Quad Ceasefire Call, Vows to Keep Fighting, Sudan Tribune (Sept. 18, 2025), https://sudantribune.com/article305175/; Sudan Suspends Ties with East African Bloc for Inviting Paramilitary Leader to Summit, Assoc. Press (Jan. 16, 2024), https://apnews.com/article/sudan-burhan-dagalo-war-africa-e8fd4600ea0dc83e916958a3edfcd4bb.

65 See U.S. Mission Geneva, Joint Statement by the ALPS Group Regarding Talks in Switzerland & Progress in Addressing the Crisis in Sudan (Aug. 23, 2024), https://geneva.usmission.gov/2024/08/23/joint-statement-from-the-alps-group-regarding-talks-in-switzerland-and-progress-in-addressing-the-crisis-in-sudan/. See also, e.g., UAE Ministry of Foreign Aff., Joint Statement from the ALPS Group on the Humanitarian Situation in Sudan (Aug. 20, 2025), https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/MediaHub/News/2025/8/20/20-8-2025-uae-sudan?utm_source=chatgpt.com (calling on warring parties to allow humanitarian access). ALPS stands for Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan.

66 Press Release, U.S. Dep’t of State, War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Ethnic Cleansing Determination in Sudan (Dec. 6, 2023), https://2021-2025.state.gov/war-crimes-crimes-against-humanity-and-ethnic-cleansing-determination-in-sudan.

67 Press Release, U.S. Dep’t of State, Genocide Determination in Sudan and Imposing Accountability Measures (Jan. 7, 2025), https://2021-2025.state.gov/genocide-determination-in-sudan-and-imposing-accountability-measures.

68 Press Release, U.S. Dep’t of the Treasury, Treasury Sanctions Sudanese Paramilitary Leader, Weapons Supplier, and Related Companies (Jan. 7, 2025), https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2772.

69 Press Release, U.S. Dep’t of the Treasury, Treasury Sanctions Leader of Sudanese Armed Forces and Weapons Supplier (Jan. 16, 2025), https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2789. For more on these U.S. designations and U.S. efforts to impose accountability and provide humanitarian aid, see generally Cogan, supra note 7.

70 See, e.g., Press Release, U.K. Foreign, Commw. & Dev. Off., UK Sanctions Businesses Funding Sudan War (Apr. 15, 2024), https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-businesses-funding-sudan-war-15-april-2024; News Release, Global Aff. Can., Minister Joly Announces Sanctions in Response to Ongoing Conflict in Sudan (Apr. 15, 2024), https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2024/04/minister-joly-announces-sanctions-in-response-to-ongoing-conflict-in-sudan.html.

71 The Other Hunger Crisis, supra note 8, at 45; see also Aug. 2025 U.N.S.C. Press Statement, supra note 14 (expressing grave concerns about renewed RSF offensive in El Fasher and urging it to allow unhindered humanitarian access).

72 See Press Release, UN Off. High Comm’r Hum. Rts., Sudan: Appalling Reports of Summary Executions and Other Serious Violations, as RSF Makes Major Territorial Gains in El Fasher and North Kordofan (Oct. 27, 2025), https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/10/sudan-appalling-reports-summary-executions-and-other-serious-violations-rsf.

73 Security Council Press Statement on Sudan, SC/16204 (Oct. 30, 2025). See also Sudan: Briefing and Consultations, Sec. Council Rep. (Oct. 29, 2025), https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2025/10/sudan-briefing-and-consultations-12.php.