US Pushes Global Effort to Stop Arms Flow to Sudan RSF Forces

Published: 14 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The United States has called on the international community to take immediate action to cut off the supply of weapons to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been accused of committing mass atrocities in the city of el-Fasher. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the appeal following a G7 foreign ministers meeting held in Canada, highlighting the humanitarian crisis caused by the RSF’s ongoing operations in the western Darfur region.

Rubio condemned the RSF for systematic killings, sexual violence, and other brutalities targeting civilians, particularly women and children. He described the acts perpetrated by the paramilitary group as “horrifying atrocities” and urged global partners to cooperate in ending the flow of arms and other support to the RSF.

The conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023 after a power struggle between the RSF and the Sudanese army erupted into open civil war. Since then, both sides have battled for control, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. El-Fasher, the administrative capital of North Darfur, fell to the RSF last month following an 18-month siege, consolidating the paramilitary’s control over key urban centres in the region. Satellite imagery and on-the-ground reports reveal the scale of the devastation, including mass graves, blood-stained streets, and the widespread targeting of non-Arab communities—actions that the US and various humanitarian organizations have described as genocidal.

The Sudanese army has accused the United Arab Emirates of arming the RSF and providing mercenaries through transit countries in Africa. While the UAE and the RSF have repeatedly denied these claims, numerous independent investigations by international media and UN reports have found credible evidence of external support. Rubio, however, did not explicitly single out Abu Dhabi during his remarks, instead emphasising the need for multilateral cooperation to halt weapons supplies.

“The RSF is committing acts of sexual violence and atrocities against innocent civilians of the most horrific kind. It needs to stop immediately,” Rubio told reporters. He stressed that the paramilitary lacks domestic arms production capabilities and is heavily reliant on external support, underscoring the urgency of restricting the inflow of weapons.

The US-led “Quad” initiative, comprising the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and allies of Sudan’s military government, has sought to mediate an end to the conflict. The group proposed a three-month humanitarian truce followed by a permanent ceasefire and a nine-month transition to civilian rule. The RSF delayed its formal acceptance of the truce until after capturing el-Fasher, while the Sudanese army remains critical of the UAE’s involvement in the process. Despite the proposal, fighting continues unabated across the country.

In addition to mass killings, reports indicate that women and children in el-Fasher have been subjected to sexual violence and other forms of abuse by the RSF. US officials and humanitarian groups assert that the violence is systematic, targeting entire communities rather than isolated individuals, contrary to RSF claims that rogue elements are responsible. Rubio emphasised that these actions constitute deliberate and organized atrocities, highlighting the need for an international response to prevent further civilian suffering.

Arms trafficking into Sudan has been documented extensively by human rights organizations. Amnesty International, for instance, has identified weapons originating from Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, Yemen, and the UAE in RSF hands. These weapons are typically smuggled through the UAE, into Chad, and finally into Darfur, according to leaked UN reports. The RSF is also accused of using UAE connections to facilitate illicit gold trade, further funding its operations. Rubio highlighted that external actors enabling the transportation of weapons are equally complicit in sustaining the paramilitary’s campaign of violence.

While Rubio refrained from directly naming specific countries, he noted that multiple actors, including Iran, may also be supplying funds or arms to the Sudanese army, demonstrating the complex web of external involvement in the conflict. All parties involved deny these allegations, yet investigations and satellite data suggest a substantial flow of arms fueling both sides.

The humanitarian impact of the two-year civil war has been catastrophic. More than 150,000 people have been killed, and approximately 12 million civilians have been forced to flee their homes. Humanitarian organizations have described the crisis as the largest displacement and casualty event in the world today. The RSF’s capture of el-Fasher has intensified these challenges, as only a small fraction of the city’s population has been able to escape, leaving countless others vulnerable to systematic violence.

The G7 foreign ministers released a joint statement condemning the surge in violence, describing the conflict as “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.” They called for immediate measures to curb arms trafficking and urged all nations to uphold their responsibilities under international law to prevent atrocities. Despite a UN arms embargo on Darfur since 2004, the restriction has not been applied to the rest of Sudan, leaving gaps that facilitate the continued inflow of weapons to both warring parties.

The US position, articulated by Rubio, reinforces calls from human rights groups for stronger enforcement of arms embargoes and accountability for countries indirectly contributing to the conflict. Recent scrutiny has also fallen on the United Kingdom, where lawmakers criticized the government for allowing British-made weapons to potentially reach the RSF. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the country’s arms export controls but pledged ongoing vigilance to prevent diversion of weapons to conflict zones.

Rubio concluded by emphasising that international collaboration is essential to halt the RSF’s campaign of terror and ensure protection for civilians. “We have encouraged partner nations to join us in this fight,” he said. His remarks underscore the importance of a coordinated global effort to cut off weapons supplies, enforce humanitarian law, and bring an end to the ongoing atrocities in Sudan.

The RSF, for its part, issued a statement rejecting allegations of external support and accusing the Sudanese army of undermining ceasefire efforts. The paramilitary group claimed it had acted in “good faith” by formally agreeing to the humanitarian truce after securing el-Fasher, while accusing the army of delaying and obstructing negotiations. The statements reflect the ongoing tension and mistrust between the warring parties, further complicating prospects for peace.

As the conflict continues, the US and international partners face the dual challenge of mitigating the immediate humanitarian crisis and dismantling the external networks that supply weapons and logistical support to the RSF. The outcome of these efforts will likely shape the trajectory of the war, the survival of civilians in Darfur, and the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.