UAE Rejects Claims of Arming Sudan’s Paramilitary Forces
UAE Denies Weapons Supply Allegations
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has firmly denied accusations that it is providing Chinese-made weapons to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group engaged in a violent conflict with Sudan’s military government.
The allegations, detailed in a recent Amnesty International report, prompted a strong rebuttal from UAE officials, who called the claims unfounded.
Salem Aljaberi, UAE’s assistant minister for security and military affairs, stated on social media
The UAE strongly rejects the suggestion that it is supplying weaponry to any party involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Salem Aljaberi.
He described the Amnesty report as “baseless” and “misleading,” arguing it lacks substantiated evidence.
Aljaberi further noted that the Chinese 155mm AH-4 howitzers cited in the report have been available on the international market for nearly a decade, dismissing claims that they are exclusive to the UAE.
Amnesty’s Findings and Sudan’s Response
Amnesty International’s report, released on Thursday, claimed that RSF fighters were using Chinese GB50A guided bombs and 155mm AH-4 howitzers in attacks across Khartoum and Darfur.
The group cited data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, identifying the UAE as the sole buyer of these howitzers from China in 2019.
The report intensified scrutiny on the UAE, which has faced similar accusations from the United Nations, the United States, and other organizations.
Sudan’s military government escalated tensions by cutting diplomatic ties with the UAE on Tuesday.
Sudan’s Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim accused the UAE of violating national sovereignty by supporting the RSF.
The UAE rejected these claims, questioning the legitimacy of Sudan’s internationally recognized government.
Escalating Conflict and Drone Attacks
The RSF, facing recent battlefield losses, has intensified drone attacks on army-controlled areas, particularly Port Sudan, a critical aid hub.
Witnesses reported damage to key infrastructure, including the international airport and fuel storage facilities.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that these attacks “threaten to increase humanitarian needs and further complicate aid operations in the country.”
International Court Ruling
The International Court of Justice recently dismissed Sudan’s lawsuit accusing the UAE of genocide involvement, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
UAE official Reem Ketait called the ruling “clear and decisive.”