Amnesty International reported the presence of UAE-manufactured armoured carriers equipped with French technology being used by Sudanese Rapid Support Forces amidst the civil war, potentially violating UN arms embargoes. The report called for an end to weapon supplies to conflicting parties, emphasizing the dire human rights situation and the need for enforcement of international regulations to mitigate violence.
Amnesty International has disclosed troubling findings regarding the use of United Arab Emirates (UAE) manufactured armoured carriers equipped with French military technology by the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amidst the ongoing civil war in Sudan. The human rights organization indicated that this situation likely violates the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur, urging the international community to halt all arms supplies to the conflicting parties. The report, released on November 14, 2024, suggests that the UAE’s Edge Group designed these armoured vehicles, incorporating a French-made Galix reactive defence system for effective protection against imminent threats. The use of Nimr Ajban armoured personnel carriers (APCs) by the RSF in battles against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) emphasizes the gravity of the situation, particularly in the conflict-prone Darfur region. Amnesty International notes this constitutes a probable breach of the UN arms embargo aimed at preventing the arming of militias such as the RSF, given Sudan’s history of armed conflicts. In light of these revelations, Agnès Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, called upon the French government to cease all further supplies of the Galix system to the UAE, stressing that such actions lead to violations of international arms regulations. The UAE government has refuted claims of providing military support to the RSF. Amnesty International’s report highlights the critical need for stringent enforcement of arms embargoes to mitigate further violence in Sudan. The civil war, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in over 20,000 fatalities and displaced nearly 12 million individuals, exacerbating severe human rights violations, including reports of ethnic cleansing and mass displacements. UN officials persist in urging external supporters to stop arms deliveries, warning that continued armament fosters further violence and complicates peace negotiations.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, which ignited in April 2023, has plunged the nation into chaos, leading to significant loss of life and massive displacements of civilians. Various factions, notably the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, have engaged in violent confrontations using advanced weaponry, drawing the attention of international human rights organizations. The UN has established arms embargoes to safeguard peace efforts and protect civilians in regions like Darfur, which have previously suffered from armed militias and conflict-related violence. Recent findings by Amnesty International indicating the use of UAE-manufactured military equipment by the RSF accentuate the violations of these embargoes and emphasize the urgent necessity for international oversight.
In conclusion, the revelations from Amnesty International regarding the presence of UAE’s French-designed armoured vehicles in the hands of the RSF highlight the risks of violating international arms regulations amid a devastating civil war in Sudan. The ongoing conflict poses grave threats to human rights and hampers humanitarian efforts. It is imperative that the international community responds to these concerns with immediate actions, including stringent enforcement of arms embargoes, to safeguard vulnerable populations and contribute effectively to peacekeeping initiatives in the region.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
