Evidence Points to UAE’s Involvement in Prolonging Sudanese Conflict
Emirati passports discovered in Sudan have surfaced as compelling evidence of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) involvement in the ongoing conflict in the East African nation. The UAE has faced longstanding accusations of exacerbating the violence in Sudan through covert support.
A document sent to the UN Security Council, seen by the Guardian, contains images of passports allegedly linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group clashing with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023. This document, reportedly recovered in Sudan, has ignited fresh controversy over the UAE’s role in the conflict.
Reports have surfaced about the extensive logistical support the UAE provides to the RSF via a network of supply routes spanning Libya, Chad, Uganda, and the Central African Republic. Despite these reports, the UAE continues to deny allegations of arming and supplying the RSF, which is led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, a general and former Janjaweed commander.
International human rights organizations have found “clear and compelling evidence” of the RSF committing acts of genocide against non-Arab groups in Darfur, a vast western region of Sudan now largely under RSF control. The discovery of these passports intensifies pressure on Western nations to curtail their allies’ involvement in the Sudanese conflict.
The passports reportedly belong to male Emiratis, including two individuals born in Dubai, one in Al Ain, and another in Ajman. Cameron Hudson, a former Sudan adviser to the US government, stated that this revelation would “force Washington to acknowledge what it knows about this and compel them to respond.”
Additionally, the document indicates that the UAE has supplied the RSF with drones modified to drop thermobaric bombs, a controversial weapon known for its extensive damage impact compared to conventional explosives.
The UAE has also been implicated in supplying unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to Ethiopia, which have been used in the war against the Amhara people. This further underscores the UAE’s active military involvement in regional conflicts, raising serious concerns about its broader geopolitical strategies and the humanitarian consequences of its actions.
The conflict in Sudan, which has been ongoing for 15 months, has resulted in an estimated 150,000 deaths according to US estimates. The United Nations has labeled the situation as the world’s worst displacement crisis, with over 10 million Sudanese displaced within their own country.
The emergence of Emirati passports in Sudan is likely to escalate calls for international action to address and mitigate the external influences perpetuating the conflict.
EAR Editor’s Note: This breaking news story is sourced from Middle East Eye, a publication renowned for its independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Middle East Eye has consistently provided in-depth reporting and insightful commentary on key issues affecting the region, often bringing to light stories that mainstream media overlook.
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