On 7 July 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the escalating threat of war crimes and human rights violations in El-Obeid, Sudan, and urging EU Member States and institutions to take immediate action to prevent a massacre. The resolution, tabled by Nela Riehl and other MEPs on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, calls for sanctions, humanitarian access, and accountability measures targeting both warring parties and external enablers, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The resolution notes that over 13 million people have been displaced since 2023 in the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). RSF forces have amassed around El-Obeid, and June drone strikes destroyed power, fuel, and water supplies, halting hospital operations. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Security Council, and 29 states warned of imminent large-scale atrocities, with precursors similar to the October 2025 El-Fasher massacre. The resolution condemns external support, particularly from the UAE, for fuelling the conflict through financing, weapons, and military aid. It demands EU Member States use all leverage for a ceasefire, lift the siege on El-Obeid, and deploy a civilian protection mission. It urges the EEAS and Council to impose sanctions on warring parties and states enabling RSF abuses, including the UAE for violating the Darfur arms embargo, and to expand the embargo to all Sudan. It also calls for support to the ICC prosecutor’s investigation and the UN Fact-Finding Mission, and for a civilian-led peace process.
The resolution represents a strong parliamentary stance against the deteriorating situation in Sudan, pressing the EU to act decisively to prevent further atrocities. The impact on stakeholders is significant: EU foreign policy bodies face pressure to impose sanctions and deploy a protection mission, potentially straining relations with the UAE; Sudanese civilians in El-Obeid could benefit from increased humanitarian access and protection; the UAE risks diplomatic and economic repercussions if sanctions are imposed; and the warring parties (RSF and SAF) face increased international isolation and accountability efforts. The resolution is a non-binding political statement, but it sets the stage for potential Council action and reinforces the EU's commitment to international humanitarian law.