The Security Council voted on Wednesday to extend for one additional year the mandate of sanctions imposed on Sudan, despite Khartoum’s calls to lift them. The mandate now runs until March 12, 2024. Sudan has repeatedly demanded that the Security Council lifts the UN arms embargo on the Darfur region imposed following a war that started in 2005. Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov vowed to support Sudan’s demands. However, the 15-nation organ voted on Wednesday in favor of a resolution to extend through 12 March, 2024 the mandate of the Panel of Experts charged with assisting its Sudan sanctions committee and to renew the arms embargo on Darfur. Thirteen Council members supported the move while two members, Russia and China, abstained. China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Dai Bing said the sanctions are now outdated and should be lifted to reflect improved circumstances on the ground. In 2019, a popular movement brought an end to Omar al-Bashir’s 30-year reign during which the country suffered from international isolation and was subjected to strict US sanctions. Shortly after the overthrow of Bashir, the transitional government of Abdallah Hamdok managed to remove Khartoum from the US States Sponsors of Terrorism list, allowing the release of $2 billion in international aid to the country. However, in October 2021, the economic crisis worsened after Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan removed civilians from power, causing a decline in international aid to the country.