The Sudanese government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of exacerbating the 14-month war in Sudan by providing weapons to a rival paramilitary force.
However, the UAE has dismissed these allegations as “ludicrous” and a “shameful abuse” by one of the warring parties. This clash occurred during a U.N. Security Council meeting where Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee highlighted the atrocities being committed along ethnic lines in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Pobee called for an immediate cease-fire in the besieged North Darfur capital, El Fasher, to prevent further atrocities and protect critical infrastructure. Sudanese Ambassador Al-Harith Mohamed accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces of initiating the war and attacking civilians with the aid of weapons from the UAE.
He stated that Sudan has evidence of the UAE’s involvement and intends to submit a file to the International Criminal Court. The UAE’s ambassador, Mohamed Abushahab, refuted these allegations and questioned why Sudan’s government refuses to return to peace talks. U.N. experts have previously reported credible evidence of the UAE sending weapons to the Rapid Support Forces.
The U.S. Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, reiterated the appeal for all external actors to stop fueling the conflict by sending weapons to Sudan.
Following the meeting, Mohamed of Sudan called on the council to take further action by publicly identifying and condemning the actions of the United Arab Emirates.
Edem Wosornu, the operations director for the U.N. humanitarian office, informed the council about the dire situation of 800,000 civilians in El Fasher, emphasizing the imminent risk of mass atrocities and highlighting the ongoing violence in the besieged city as just the beginning of a larger crisis.
She raised concerns about the indiscriminate bombings in Darfur affecting millions, the prevalence of sexual violence, and the looming threat of famine. Wosornu stated that nearly 5 million people are facing severe food insecurity, with over 2 million in 41 specific areas at high risk of severe hunger in the near future.
Twenty years ago, Darfur was a symbol of genocide and war crimes, with the Janjaweed Arab militias responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions.
Sudan was once again plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, with clashes between military and paramilitary factions escalating in Khartoum and spreading to other regions, including Darfur. The U.N. reports over 14,000 fatalities and 33,000 injuries as a result of the violence.
The Rapid Support Forces, originally formed from Janjaweed fighters by former President Omar al-Bashir, have been at the center of the conflict. Al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019 after three decades in power, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the Darfur conflict.
Recently, the Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate end to the Rapid Support Forces’ siege of El Fasher, the last Darfur capital beyond their control. The council also called on the paramilitary group and Sudan’s military to pursue a swift resolution.
