UAE denies funding Sudanese paramilitary group

April 23, 2024 (KAMPALA) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rejected accusations from Sudan that it has been financing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in a year-long conflict with the Sudanese army.

The denial comes after Sudan’s representative to the United Nations, Al-Harith Idris, called on the Security Council to condemn the UAE for allegedly supplying the RSF with weapons, vehicles and financial support.

In a letter to the Security Council, UAE Assistant Foreign Minister Lana Nusseibeh called the accusations “baseless” and an attempt to distract from the humanitarian crisis caused by the fighting.

The letter emphasized that the UAE does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and remains committed to a peaceful resolution.

However,  the UN Security Council has yet to rule on Sudan’s official complaint against the UAE, filed in March.

The complaint alleges UAE involvement in escalating the conflict and supplying military equipment through Chad.

Both sides in the Sudanese conflict have been criticized for prolonging the fighting, which has caused immense suffering and regional instability.

UAE has called for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to negotiations.

Meanwhile, Sudan has rejected the UAE’s participation in the upcoming Jeddah forum, where the two warring parties are expected to resume peace talks.

(ST)