On Monday, the UN Human Rights Council condemned drone strikes and other attacks targeting civilians in Sudan, warning warring parties that "there is no military solution to the crisis" in the country.
The statement came as the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that an airstrike had hit a truck carrying relief supplies in North Kordofan, killing one person.
In Geneva, the 47-member council adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the international independent investigation mission on Sudan, with 28 votes in favor, 10 against, and 9 abstentions. Sudan called on member states to reject the measure, arguing that the council had not taken its reservations into account.
The war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 13 million, according to estimates cited by human rights groups.
The resolution calls for "an immediate and complete ceasefire by all parties, without preconditions," along with an independent monitoring mechanism and the restoration of essential infrastructure.
The council condemned widespread violations of international humanitarian law by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, citing "indiscriminate attacks on civilians" and "indiscriminate aerial bombardments and drone strikes causing civilian casualties and destroying essential infrastructure," including schools and hospitals.
Both sides have sharply escalated their use of drones in recent months. UN figures show that in the first five months of this year alone, drone strikes killed more than 1,100 people.
The council also condemned outside interference in the war, warning that illicit financial networks, illegal arms transfers, and foreign mercenaries continue to fuel the fighting.
The investigation mission, which gathers evidence of abuses by both sides, concluded in February that the RSF's siege and capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, bore "the hallmarks of genocide."
As the last military stronghold in Darfur to fall after months under siege, el-Fasher saw civilians systematically deprived of food and medicine before facing mass executions, according to the investigators.
They documented ethnic killings targeting mainly non-Arab groups, widespread sexual violence, and the destruction of medical facilities.
In a separate statement, the WFP said an airstrike hit its convoy as it traveled between Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan, killing a driver and damaging relief supplies. The agency stressed that the vehicles were clearly marked with the official humanitarian emblem.
According to the WFP, the attack occurred on Saturday, just 24 hours after another of its vehicles triggered an explosive device in Dilling following a food distribution. The WFP said: "Humanitarian workers and aid assets are not targets," and called for a transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable under international law.
