Sudan has leveled accusations against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for allegedly supplying arms to a paramilitary force involved in the country’s ongoing 14-month civil conflict, sparking a contentious debate at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Sudan’s UN ambassador, Al-Harith Idriss al-Harith Mohamed, accused the UAE late on Tuesday of providing weaponry to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been engaged in combat with Sudan’s military since April 2023 and faces allegations of committing ethnic-based war crimes.
The Sudanese envoy asserted that Khartoum possesses evidence of these arms transfers and intends to submit a dossier on the UAE’s actions to the International Criminal Court.
Addressing reporters post-meeting, he emphasized urging the council to take decisive action, including public condemnation of the United Arab Emirates.
Sitting next to Mohamed at the horseshoe-shaped Security Council table, UAE Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab called Sudan’s charge “ludicrous” and designed to distract from “grave violations that are happening on the ground”.
Last stronghold
“If they seek an end to the conflict and civilian suffering, then why won’t they come to the Jeddah talks? Why are they blocking aid? What are you waiting for?” Abushahab asked.
In May, the United States and Saudi Arabia sought to resurrect ceasefire talks in Jeddah that stalled last year due to alleged violations of agreements on both sides. Sudan, however, refused to participate.
Aid agencies, which have warned that Sudan is on the brink of the world’s largest hunger crisis, have said aid is being blocked by all of the warring factions in the country.
In January, a UN report compiled for the UNSC said it had “credible” evidence that the UAE had sent weapons to the RSF “several times per week” via Amdjarass in northern Chad. The UAE denied the accusation.
Since the escalation of tensions between Sudanese armed forces and the RSF into full-scale conflict last year, more than 14,000 lives have been lost, with 33,000 people injured and 10 million displaced, according to the United Nations.
The dispute arose at the UN on Tuesday amid warnings from UN Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee about ethnic-based atrocities in Darfur, western Sudan.
Pobee emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which is under siege by the RSF. She called for measures to prevent further atrocities, protect essential infrastructure, and alleviate civilian suffering.
El-Fasher, home to 1.8 million people, is the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in the Darfur region, infamous for genocide and war crimes dating back two decades.
The RSF, initially formed by Arab militias, is accused of killing up to 300,000 members of Black ethnic minority groups and displacing millions.
Last week, the UN Security Council approved a resolution demanding that the RSF end its siege of el-Fasher and withdraw all fighters threatening the safety and security of civilians.