U.S. lawmakers have accused the UAE of violating assurances by continuing to arm Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, implicated in genocide. Senator Van Hollen and Representative Jacobs vowed to block future arms sales while highlighting the need for accountability. The situation in Sudan escalates, with multiple countries accused of providing military support amidst humanitarian crises.
Two U.S. lawmakers have accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of continuing to supply arms to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), despite previous assurances that they would cease these transfers. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Sara Jacobs highlighted concerns that the UAE’s actions contravene the commitments made during the Biden administration. Van Hollen emphasized the need for the United States to withhold arms from nations supporting the RSF, which has been implicated in genocide.
Last month, the legislators initially relented on opposing a significant $1.2 billion arms sale to the UAE after promises from the Biden administration that the Gulf nation was not providing arms to the RSF. However, following briefings with departing administration officials, they concluded that the UAE had broken its commitments. Jacobs vowed to block any future arms sales to the UAE to promote peace and accountability for the Sudanese people.
In its closing days, the Biden administration condemned the RSF for committing genocide in Darfur, a region that has suffered immensely from violence in the past. The U.S. State Department accused the RSF, predominantly composed of Arab fighters, of systematic human rights abuses against Darfur’s non-Arab populations, including acts of murder and sexual violence. Despite these serious allegations, the UAE persistently denies any support for the RSF, countering claims of ongoing violations.
The RSF has established ties with the UAE through their joint military efforts in Yemen against the Iranian-aligned Huthi insurgents. In the ongoing conflict in Sudan, international actors such as Egypt, Turkey, Iran, and Russia have also been accused of providing support to competing factions, resulting in widespread violence and humanitarian crises. As the fighting persists, Sudan’s army declares that it has alleviated a siege on its headquarters that has lasted since the onset of the conflict in April 2023.
The conflict in Sudan has escalated significantly since April 2023, leading to widespread violence and a humanitarian emergency. The Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group emerged from the Janjaweed militias infamous for past atrocities in Darfur, have been at the forefront of the violence. The U.S. government has accused the RSF of genocide and systemic human rights abuses, raising critical international concerns regarding arms sales to countries purportedly supporting these actions, particularly regarding the UAE’s reported armament of the RSF despite assurances to the contrary.
In summary, U.S. lawmakers Van Hollen and Jacobs have raised alarms about the UAE’s alleged ongoing arms supplies to the RSF, undermining previous commitments made to the U.S. government. Their determination to prevent future arms sales underscores the critical need for accountability and support for peace in Sudan. The situation remains dire, with numerous international actors implicated in the conflict, highlighting the urgency for a coordinated global response to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.
Original Source: thedefensepost.com
