The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution condemning atrocities committed by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of El Obeid. The motion, led by the United Kingdom, was approved following reports of widespread human rights abuses, including executions, torture, and sexual violence, amid a months-long siege. Observers have drawn parallels between the current situation in El Obeid and the RSF’s siege of El Fasher last year, which culminated in a massacre of thousands of civilians.

Despite the council’s condemnation of the RSF, the resolution did not address the role of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is widely regarded as a key backer of the militia. The RSF has reportedly been supplied with drones by the UAE, and Abu Dhabi is believed to have purchased gold extracted from territories under RSF control. These connections have raised concerns among human rights groups, including DefendDefenders, which criticised the council for not fully confronting the broader support networks enabling the RSF’s actions.

The UAE has denied any involvement in supporting the RSF. It maintains that it does not provide military assistance to militias in Sudan. The country is also a close ally of Britain, which led the motion condemning the RSF’s activities.

The conflict between Sudanese government forces and the RSF has escalated over the past year, resulting in widespread violence and displacement. The RSF, a paramilitary group with origins in the Janjaweed militias, has been accused of numerous human rights violations across Sudan, particularly in areas where it has conducted military operations.

The Human Rights Council’s resolution comes amid growing international concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Sudan. Efforts to hold all parties accountable for violations and to address external support for armed groups are ongoing, as the violence continues to threaten stability in the region.