Rights group calls for nationwide Sudan arms ban amid deadly attacks
Further, Amnesty urged the UN Security Council, African Union, European Union, IGAD, and global powers to back a countrywide arms embargo, replacing the current one that only covers Darfur.
Amnesty International has urged the international community to expand Sudan's arms embargo, warning that ongoing weapons transfers, including alleged supplies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are helping fuel brutal attacks such as the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) assault on Zamzam, the country's largest displacement camp.
In a report released on Tuesday, the rights group noted that the RSF's three-day attack on the camp in mid-April showed the devastating impact of unrestricted access to weapons.
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Fighters reportedly fired explosive shells into crowded areas, raided homes and clinics, and shot civilians they believed were linked to rival forces.
The violence forced an estimated 400,000 people to flee in just two days, leaving behind destroyed neighbourhoods and looted facilities.
Survivors told Amnesty they fled for safety as shells crashed into homes, streets and even a mosque where a wedding was taking place. Witnesses also recalled seeing at least 47 civilians shot dead by RSF personnel. Schools, markets and health centres were also looted or burned, leaving the camp stripped of essential services.
"Amnesty International conducted research between June and August 2025 and interviewed 29 people, mostly eyewitnesses, survivors, relatives of victims, journalists, conflict analysts, and medical personnel who responded to those injured during the attack. The organisation also verified and analysed dozens of videos, photos and satellite imagery," the group said in a statement.
According to Amnesty, the assault, which took place between April 11 and 13, was part of the RSF's wider campaign to take control of El Fasher, a push that ended with the group declaring victory in the city on October 26.
The group added that the level of destruction in Zamzam highlights why urgent action is needed to stop all arms transfers into Sudan.
"The RSF's horrific and deliberate assault on desperate, hungry civilians in Zamzam camp laid bare once again its alarming disregard for human life," said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International's Secretary General.
"Some international partners, such as the UAE, actively fueled the armed conflict by supporting the RSF with weapons."
Further, Amnesty urged the UN Security Council, African Union, European Union, IGAD, and global powers to back a countrywide arms embargo, replacing the current one that only covers Darfur.
"The only way to end these violations is to stem the flow of arms to parties to the conflict by expanding the arms embargo that currently applies to Darfur to the rest of the country," the group said.
It also urged states "to refrain from transferring weapons and ammunition to the RSF, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and other actors," saying countries "must immediately cease all arms transfers to the UAE" because of the high risk that weapons sent there could be diverted to the RSF.
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