WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, and U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced a bipartisan resolution urging the United Nations (UN) Security Council to increase enforcement of the existing Darfur arms embargo and extend it to cover all of Sudan. The resolution is in response to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has escalated into the largest and fastest growing humanitarian crisis in the world. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Todd Young (R-IN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CT).
Recent estimates reveal that the conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has already led to as many as 150,000 civilian deaths and displaced over 14 million Sudanese citizens. The violent campaigns by both parties include mass atrocities and war crimes, and the crimes against humanity committed by the RSF echo the horrors of the Darfur genocide in the early 2000s. The steady supply of arms, including foreign made weapons, to the RSF and SAF by outside actors have directly contributed to the length and lethality of the war. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have reported widespread atrocities, including forced recruitment of children, sexual violence, and extensive destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools.
“Sudanese civilians are bearing the brunt of this catastrophic war between the SAF and RSF that has been perpetuated by external sponsors. The United States and the international community must take decisive action to put an end to the suffering,” said Senator Booker. “It is beyond time for the UN Security Council to stem the flow of weapons into Sudan, hold accountable those violating the existing Darfur arms embargo, and swiftly pass a resolution to expand the embargo nationwide. We must do more to pave a way forward to lasting peace and stability for the people of Sudan.”
This resolution calls for an immediate nationwide ceasefire and urges the UN Security Council to extend the Darfur arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and implement a more stringent sanctions regime on embargo violators and perpetrators of atrocities. To date, there has been limited enforcement of the current embargo. The resolution also calls on the UN Security Council and the United States government to work with partners and allies, including the African Union, to establish better mechanisms for humanitarian aid delivery and civilian protection.
To read the full text of the resolution, click here.