Sudan, UAE clash at UN Security Council over support for RSF
June 18, 2024 (NEW YORK) – A Security Council session on Tuesday escalated into a fiery exchange between Sudanese and Emirati delegates, trading accusations over fuelling the conflict in war-torn Sudan.
The Sudanese representative to the United Nations, Al-Harith Idris, reiterated during his speech at the meeting accusations against the United Arab Emirates of supporting the “Rapid Support Forces” (RSF) and requested the Security Council President to distribute and publish documents submitted this week by his government as evidence of Emirati involvement in Sudan.
Emirati representative Mohamed Abu Shehab countered, calling the statements of the Sudanese diplomat “ludicrous allegations” and portraying Idris as “Representing only the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)”, casting doubt on the legitimacy of his government. Then, he pointed to the humanitarian assistance his country has been providing to those affected by the war in Sudan.
He added, “The representative of the SAF should be asked why he doesn’t come to the Jeddah talks if he seeks to stop the conflict and the suffering of civilians. And why do they obstruct the flow of aid? What are you waiting for? You must stop exploiting an international platform like the Security Council for bidding and instead stop the conflict you started.”
The Sudanese representative retorted to the Emirati representative, saying, “Whoever wants to make peace in Sudan must come with a pure heart.” He stressed that the UAE is the one sponsoring modelled and ethnic terrorism in Sudan, as proven by the report of the panel of f experts since December 2023.
Addressing the members of the Security Council, he continued, “We have gathered all the data, evidence, and photos for you and submitted them to your esteemed Council for discussion, but the UAE, through its actions and evil, obstructed the meeting in its required format so that your Council, as I told you, can take the remaining mile, which is to condemn the UAE for its aggression. The UAE is condemned, and the condemned cannot be a partner in peace.”
The Sudanese ambassador stressed his government’s keenness to achieve peace and said that the RSF’s refusal to implement the Jeddah Humanitarian Agreement of May 2023 suspended the talks.
Regarding the UAE humanitarian assistance, Al-Harith indicated that Sudan does not need Emirati aid and that they should refrain from interfering in its affairs.
After that, the Emirati representative requested to speak again. He repeated his accusation that Sudan has exploited the Security Council as a platform “to spread false accusations against the UAE to divert attention from the serious violations happening on the ground.” He added that returning to the negotiating table is the only way to end the conflict.
Sudan had previously requested twice during April and May to hold a special session to discuss Emirati support for the RSF, but a permanent member of the Security Council obstructed this effort, according to the Sudanese government.
The official news agency SUNA on Tuesday released a letter requesting action against the UAE for violating UN resolutions (e.g., the arms embargo on Darfur) and bilateral agreements banning the transfer of weapons to a third party.
The 41-page letter included photos of weapons with serial numbers and photocopies of documents, including six Emirati passports Sudan claims found with the RSF.
(ST)