HRC 63: Drone Warfare and Foreign Support Deepen Sudan’s Human Rights Crisis
The 63rd Session of the Human Rights Council
7 September – 7 October 2026
Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on Fact-Finding Mission Report on the Sudan
7 September 2026
M.C. Othman, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, on the Systematic Documentation of Human Rights Violations and the Pursuit of Accountability
By Clara Choucair / GICJ
Sudan’ s civilians continued to bear the devastating consequences of a conflict increasingly shaped by advanced drone warfare, foreign military support and widespread violations of international law.
On 7 September 2026, the Human Rights Council held an Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, Fuelling Sudan’ s conflict: weapons, fighters and external support networks (A/HRC/63/23).
Mr. Mohamed Chande Othman, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, reported that both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had increasingly used long-range drones against civilian areas, including homes, hospitals, schools, markets and displacement sites. More than 1,000 civilians were reportedly killed in drone strikes between January and May 2026.
The Mission found reasonable grounds to believe that serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law had been committed and that some conduct may amount to war crimes. The Mission also documented external networks supplying weapons, drones, logistics, training and personnel to the RSF, warning that those who knowingly enabled or facilitated violations could bear responsibility.
Delegations repeatedly condemned attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls, and restrictions on humanitarian access. Many called for an immediate ceasefire, an extension of the Darfur arms embargo to the whole of Sudan, accountability across the full chain of responsibility and renewal of the Mission’ s mandate.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) calls for the immediate protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian access and an end to all external support sustaining violations. Accountability must extend beyond direct perpetrators to those who finance, arm, supply or otherwise facilitate international crimes, while evidence and witnesses must be protected to ensure justice for victims and survivors.
