United Nations debate: Sudan and UAE clash over war allegations

Allegations and Counterclaims

The Sudanese government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of fueling the ongoing conflict in Sudan by supplying arms to rival paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to Sudanese officials, the arms supply has extended the 17-month conflict that began in April 2023. In response, the UAE has dismissed the allegations as “absolutely false” and “baseless”. The UAE has accused Sudan’s government of refusing to engage in peace talks with its adversaries.

UN Security Council Response

U.N. A recent session of the Security Council highlighted these allegations and extended the arms embargo on Sudan’s Darfur region until September 12, 2025. The area has been a major battleground between Sudan’s army and the RSF. The embargo aims to limit the flow of weapons that could escalate the conflict.

Humanitarian crisis

The conflict, which erupted in mid-April 2023, led to severe humanitarian consequences. Tensions between Sudan’s military and the RSF have spread beyond the capital Khartoum to Darfur and other areas. The ongoing violence has displaced more than 13 million people and created a dire humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organization says more than 20,000 people have died in the conflict.

Sudan’s accusations

Sudanese Ambassador Al-Harith Mohamed has accused the RSF of supplying heavy weapons, including missiles and ammunition, against the UAE. He says the UAE is profiting from the conflict by illegally exploiting Sudanese gold. Mohamed provided evidence of recent arms shipments from Chad to the RSF and alleged that Chad’s Adre border smuggling was misused to facilitate these deliveries. In addition, he noted that European bullion markets have verified the UAE’s involvement in profiting from Sudanese gold.

Denial of the United Arab Emirates

Mohamed Abushahab, the ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, strongly denied the allegations, which Sudan described as a ploy to divert attention from problems within its own armed forces. Abu Shahab accused Sudan’s military of lacking political courage, using starvation as a weapon and ignoring calls for peace. He urged the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) to participate in peace talks and negotiate with the RSF to end the conflict.

Efforts of the international community

Despite these tensions, the UN has sought to resolve the crisis. The recent extension of the arms embargo in Darfur was seen as a message to the international community that efforts are being made to support peace and security in the region. However, some countries argued for the ban to be extended to the whole of Sudan, without success.

Criticism and calls to action

Jean-Baptiste Gallopin of Human Rights Watch criticized the council’s decision not to extend the ban nationwide, calling it a “misguided opportunity”. Expanding sanctions would help curb arms flows and address widespread atrocities, he argued. A recently released UN-backed human rights report recommended extending the arms embargo and establishing an impartial force to protect civilians. The report accused both sides of committing serious war crimes and warned that foreign support would make arms suppliers complicit in these crimes..

Historical context and current situation

The situation in Darfur echoes past atrocities, with the region previously synonymous with genocide and war crimes, particularly during the Janjaweed militancy. Karim Khan, a lawyer at the International Criminal Court, has indicated that there are reasons to believe that both sides in the current conflict may have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.

Call for negotiation

Britain’s Deputy Ambassador James Kariuki urged states to refrain from enhancing the fighting capabilities of either side and instead use their influence to bring the two sides to the negotiating table. It reflects the broad international consensus that a peaceful resolution is essential to ending the conflict and resolving the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.