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// DOSSIER — un-fact-finding-mission-reports-foreign-fighters-networks
UN Fact-Finding Mission Reports Foreign Fighters and Networks Fueling Sudan's Conflict
REL_TIME: 06 Sep 2026 05:42Z · LANG: EN
A UN-backed independent fact-finding mission released a report detailing how a transnational network of foreign fighters, private military contractors, and weapons suppliers are fueling the ongoing civil war in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The investigation documented up to 2,000 Colombian contractors operating advanced drone and weapon systems alongside the RSF, alongside reports of fighters from South Sudan, Chad, and Ethiopia serving in frontline roles. The UN report found reasonable grounds to believe that both warring parties have committed potential war crimes through attacks on civilians using foreign-supplied drones and technology, prompting calls for expanded arms embargoes.
// Background
Since April 2023, a brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and pushed regions into famine. In October 2023, the UN Human Rights Council established an independent fact-finding mission to investigate human rights violations and international law breaches connected to the war.
// Key Developments
- A UN-backed investigation found that foreign involvement is strengthening the military capabilities of warring parties in Sudan and worsening violence against civilians.
- Up to 2,000 ex-military Colombian contractors have been deployed to directly operate combat drones, artillery, and advanced weapons alongside RSF units.
- Witnesses and investigators identified foreign fighters from nations including South Sudan, Chad, and Ethiopia serving in frontline roles.
- Entities and intermediaries operating out of countries such as the UAE, Colombia, and Chad utilized transit locations in Libya and Somalia to facilitate weapons, training, and logistics for the RSF.
- The UN mission noted preliminary findings that the regular Sudanese army also used foreign-supplied drones in operations that harmed civilians and civilian infrastructure.
- Investigators concluded that attacks documented by both the SAF and RSF may amount to war crimes.
// Timeline
-
The UN Human Rights Council establishes the independent fact-finding mission on Sudan to gather evidence of violations.
-
Reports, including a Yale HRL investigation, point to alleged Ethiopian military support and a UAE-linked training camp for the RSF.
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The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan submits its official report detailing foreign networks, weapons, and mercenaries fuelling the conflict.
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The UN probe's findings are formally made public, detailing foreign fighter deployments, drone usage, and potential war crimes.
// Perspectives
[United Nations Fact-Finding Mission]
Asserts that an extensive transnational network involving foreign fighters, Colombian contractors, and third-party logistics is heavily fueling Sudan's war, causing civilian casualties that may amount to war crimes.
[United Arab Emirates (UAE)]
Insists it is not involved in the civil war in Sudan, has not provided arms or related material to any party since the outbreak of conflict, and strongly condemns violations of international law.
[United States Government]
Urges the UN Security Council to expand the existing arms embargo on the Darfur region to cover all of Sudan and impose new sanctions to curtail external military assistance.
[Ethiopian Government]
Maintains non-responsiveness to UN investigative inquiries regarding allegations of illicit activities or the presence of Ethiopian nationals among RSF frontline fighters within its territory.
// Quotes
“This external support has not brought greater protection for civilians. Instead, civilians are paying the price through attacks on homes, hospitals, schools, markets and places of refuge.”
“Protecting Sudan's civilians requires action not only against those fighting the war, but also against the individuals, entities and networks that enable it to continue.”
