Key facts
- Foreign weapons, military technology, fighters, and logistical networks are sustaining Sudan's conflict, according to a UN report.
- The UN mission found reasonable grounds to believe a transnational network in the UAE, Chad, Libya, and Somalia supplied the RSF.
- Colombian contractors are reported to have played a significant role in operating drone systems for the RSF.
- Both the Sudanese military and the RSF committed serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in their drone operations.
- Drone attacks by both sides have killed civilians and hit infrastructure, with over 1,000 civilian deaths reported between January and May 2026.
A United Nations fact-finding mission has reported that foreign support, including weapons, military technology, fighters, and logistical networks, is fueling Sudan's ongoing conflict and enabling warring parties to strike deep into civilian areas. The report, published on Thursday, warns that some of these attacks may constitute war crimes.
The conflict, which began in April 2023 between Sudan's military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing over 14 million people.
The UN mission stated it found reasonable grounds to believe that a transnational network involving individuals and entities in the United Arab Emirates, Chad, Libya, and Somalia supplied the RSF with weapons, military equipment, logistics, training, and foreign personnel. The UAE has rejected allegations of support, while Chad stated it remains neutral and denied knowledge of weapons transfers through its territory.
Evidence also suggests that Colombian contractors played a significant role in operating drone systems and other advanced weapons used by the RSF, with estimates suggesting up to 2,000 contractors may be involved. Colombia has indicated it opposes mercenary activity and is addressing the participation of its nationals in foreign conflicts.
The report highlighted that both the Sudanese military and the RSF have committed serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in their drone operations. These operations have expanded the range and sophistication of attacks, leading to civilian deaths and damage to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and markets. The mission cited figures indicating over 1,000 civilian deaths from drone strikes between January and May 2026 and detailed specific SAF strikes on a hospital in East Darfur that reportedly killed at least 70 people.
The mission reiterated its calls for the enforcement of the Darfur arms embargo and urged the UN Security Council to extend it across all of Sudan.