The United Arab Emirates has been accused by Sudan of arming a paramilitary force, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), amid the country’s 14-month civil war. The Sudanese envoy to the United Nations accused the UAE of supplying weapons to the RSF, which has been engaged in fighting with Sudan’s army and has faced accusations of ethnic war crimes. The envoy stated that Khartoum has evidence of this weapon supply and plans to submit a file on UAE actions to the International Criminal Court. The UAE Ambassador to the UN called Sudan’s accusations “ludicrous” and claimed they were meant to divert attention from ongoing violations on the ground.
The United States and Saudi Arabia attempted to restart ceasefire talks in Jeddah to address the conflict in Sudan, but Sudan refused to participate. Aid agencies have warned of a looming hunger crisis in Sudan, with aid being blocked by all warring factions. A UN report from January provided “credible” evidence that the UAE was supplying weapons to the RSF several times per week via Amdjarass in northern Chad. This accusation was denied by the UAE. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in over 14,000 deaths, 33,000 injuries, and 10 million people displaced.
In the midst of these accusations and conflicts, Martha Pobee, UN Assistant Secretary-General, highlighted atrocities being committed along ethnic lines in Sudan’s Darfur region. Pobee stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, to prevent further atrocities, protect critical infrastructure, and alleviate civilian suffering. El-Fasher, with a population of 1.8 million, is the last army stronghold in the Darfur region. The region gained notoriety for genocide and war crimes when Arab militias, later forming the RSF, killed hundreds of thousands of Black ethnic minorities and displaced millions.
The United Nations Security Council approved a resolution last week condemning the RSF’s siege of el-Fasher and demanding the withdrawal of fighters threatening the safety and security of civilians. The situation in Sudan remains dire, with ongoing violence, displacement, and humanitarian crises. The accusations against the UAE for arming the RSF add another layer of complexity to the conflict, with Sudan seeking accountability through international bodies like the International Criminal Court. The need for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, and protection of civilians remains crucial to address the escalating crisis in Sudan.
