The United States on Monday proposed expanding the United Nations arms embargo on Sudan’s Darfur region to cover the entire country, warning that the ongoing war could escalate further and spill over into neighboring states.
The proposal was presented to the UN Security Council as the existing arms embargo on Darfur, which has been in place for more than two decades, is set to expire on September 12, 2026, unless the council adopts a new resolution extending it.
Washington Warns of Regional Spillover
Massad Boulos, U.S. presidential adviser on African and Arab affairs, told the Security Council that continued foreign support for the warring parties risks drawing additional regional actors and neighboring countries into the conflict.
Washington says expanding the arms embargo nationwide would be one of the measures aimed at limiting the flow of weapons and preventing further escalation.
The U.S. proposal would also include drones under the arms embargo and increase the number of experts responsible for monitoring compliance with the restrictions.
Washington is additionally seeking stronger coordination between expert panels and other bodies responsible for monitoring arms embargo violations, as well as closer oversight of other sanctions imposed on the parties to the conflict, including asset freezes and travel bans.
Russia Raises Concerns
The proposed expansion would require approval from the UN Security Council. During the meeting, however, Russia warned against adopting new measures that could affect the Sudanese army, signaling that the U.S. initiative could face opposition within the council.
Sudan’s war is now entering its fourth year and has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions. The conflict has also seen increasing use of advanced weapons, particularly drones, contributing to heavy civilian casualties.
The Sudanese army controls large areas of central and eastern Sudan, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) control most of Darfur and parts of the south.
Darfur Remains a Major Flashpoint
Darfur remains among the areas hardest hit by the conflict, with several parts of the region witnessing widespread violence and mass displacement.
The region has also experienced attacks on displacement camps and deadly incidents that have left large numbers of civilians dead.
The U.S. proposal comes as international pressure grows to limit the flow of weapons into Sudan and prevent the conflict from expanding further, both within the country and across its borders.
