By Deng Ghai Deng
United Nations Security Council unanimously extended its sanctions against Sudan on Wednesday by adopting Resolution 2750.
The resolution, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, prolongs the sanctions—comprising asset freezes, travel bans, and an arms embargo—for an additional year, until September 12, 2025.
This extension continues the measures originally established by Resolution 1591 in 2005 and renewed by Resolution 2676 in March 2023.
The newly adopted resolution, documented as S/RES/2750(2024), builds upon previous sanctions frameworks and incorporates updates from recent resolutions, including Resolution 2725.
The US, as the penholder for Sudan sanctions, spearheaded the draft’s development, which focused on modernizing provisions and streamlining the sanctions regime. While the negotiation process was generally smooth, some disagreements emerged over specific elements.
The Darfur region remains embroiled in severe conflict, characterized by ongoing violence, human rights abuses, and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Intensified clashes between armed groups such as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have led to widespread displacement and severe limitations on humanitarian aid. Reports document systematic human rights violations, including heavy weaponry use and sexual violence, exacerbating civilian suffering.
In the Security Council meeting, the US representative underscored the dire conditions faced by Darfur’s population, highlighting the need for sustained international pressure to address these issues and advance peace.
Similarly, the UK representative referenced a recent UN fact-finding mission’s report on human rights abuses by the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. Both representatives called for international efforts to prevent any escalation of conflict and urged warring parties to engage in negotiations.
In contrast, the Sudanese representative condemned attacks on civilians by Rapid Support Forces militias, criticizing the involvement of the United Arab Emirates in supporting these groups and exploiting illegal gold resources in Darfur.
The Sudanese representative advocated for targeted sanctions against the militias and associated businesses and called for international pressure to secure compensation for the Sudanese people and establish a strategic peace plan addressing Sudan’s concerns.
Resolution 2750 reaffirms the international community’s commitment to holding violators accountable and working towards peace and security in Sudan.