The threat of war crimes, the escalating violations of international humanitarian law and the human rights situation in El-Obeid, Sudan

European Parliament resolution of 9 July 2026 on the threat of war crimes, the escalating violations of international humanitarian law and the human rights situation in El-Obeid, Sudan (2026/2799(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has escalated into the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 33 million people, including 16 million children, requiring aid and millions facing hunger and displacement;

B.whereas the RSF have laid siege to El-Obeid, reportedly preparing an imminent ground offensive; whereas international actors warn of the risk of mass atrocities in El-Obeid, with 500 000 civilians at risk;

C.whereas the UN independent fact-finding mission found that the RSF takeover of El-Fasher bore the hallmarks of genocide and warns of further war crimes; whereas rape and other forms of sexual violence are used as weapons of war;

D.whereas drone strikes against El-Obeid killed civilians, destroyed the city’s power and fuel access, cut water supplies and disrupted access to life-saving necessities; whereas Sudan’s healthcare system is collapsing;

E.whereas credible reports indicate external support for the RSF, including through foreign military contractors and the transfer of military equipment in breach of the UN arms embargo;

1.Condemns in the strongest terms the war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan, particularly the ongoing RSF siege of El-Obeid, and insists that the international community prevent a repetition of the El-Fasher massacre and force the RSF to lift its siege on El Obeid;

2.Implores all warring parties to cease fire, uphold international humanitarian law and immediately end all attacks against civilians, including sexual violence and forced starvation;

3.Calls for the EU to urgently increase humanitarian support for Sudan, including for survivors of sexual violence, those facing hunger, IDPs and refugees; calls for direct funding for Emergency Response Rooms and other local frontline organisations; stresses the need for humanitarian corridors to ensure civilian evacuation routes and crossline and cross-border humanitarian access to El-Obeid;

4.Urges the EU to join the AU and the UN in efforts to engage the warring parties towards a ceasefire and to support a civilian-led peace process; calls for the EU to impose targeted sanctions on entities and individuals responsible for war crimes in Sudan;

5.Condemns all external interference fuelling the war; urges all states, including the UAE, to cease financing, arms supply or other support of the RSF; urges the EEAS and the Council to sanction individuals, entities and external enablers and private security companies, such as Global Security Services Group, for breaching the UN arms embargo, and to work with the UNSC to extend the embargo to all of Sudan;

6.Demands accountability for all perpetrators and calls for independent investigations into alleged war crimes; urges the EU to financially and politically support these efforts, press to extend ICC jurisdiction to all of Sudan, support the mandate of the UN fact-finding mission and consider including the RSF on the EU terrorism list;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the authorities of Sudan, the AU, and the UN Secretary-General.