On 6 July 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the escalating violence and potential war crimes in El-Obeid, Sudan, and demanding immediate action to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access. The resolution warns that 500,000 civilians in El Obeid, North Kordofan, are at imminent risk of mass atrocities, with recent drone strikes killing at least 50 civilians. It notes that 33.7 million people in Sudan (60% children) need humanitarian assistance, over 9 million are internally displaced, and 19.1 million face acute food insecurity.
The Parliament strongly condemns the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) offensive and demands it halt immediately, along with all parties ceasing attacks on civilians, medical facilities, and humanitarian personnel. It calls for prompt, independent investigations into alleged violations including attacks on civilians, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and starvation tactics. The resolution urges the Council to adopt targeted restrictive measures against commanders, financiers, and external enablers, specifically naming the UAE-based Global Security Services Group for violating the UN arms embargo. It demands immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to El Obeid and North Kordofan.
The resolution was tabled by Jan-Christoph Oetjen and other MEPs on behalf of the Renew Group, dated 7 July 2026. The Parliament's stance carries significant weight as it calls for EU sanctions on external enablers, potentially impacting EU foreign policy and trade relations with entities involved in the conflict. The resolution also puts pressure on the Council to act swiftly, though the actual imposition of sanctions remains a Council decision. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with the Parliament's resolution serving as a strong political signal but requiring concrete follow-up from EU member states.