In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Sudan has officially severed diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing the Gulf nation of providing support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been engaged in a protracted conflict with Sudan’s national army since April 2023.
Sudan’s Defense Minister, Yassin Ibrahim, announced the decision during a televised address, stating that the UAE had violated Sudanese sovereignty by allegedly backing the RSF through proxy means. The Sudanese government has recalled its ambassador from Abu Dhabi and demanded the UAE’s diplomatic mission in Khartoum to cease operations.The UAE has denied these allegations, asserting that it does not supply arms to the RSF and dismissing Sudan’s claims as unfounded.
This diplomatic rupture follows Sudan’s unsuccessful attempt to bring a case against the UAE at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of complicity in genocide in Darfur by supporting the RSF. The ICJ dismissed the case, citing a lack of jurisdiction due to the UAE’s reservations upon ratifying the Genocide Convention.
The situation has been further exacerbated by a series of drone and missile attacks on Port Sudan, a critical hub for humanitarian aid and the de facto administrative center for the Sudanese government. Since May 4, these attacks have targeted the international airport, fuel storage facilities, the maritime port, and other vital infrastructure, leading to significant disruptions in aid delivery and raising concerns among international humanitarian organizations. The RSF has not claimed responsibility for these attacks, but the Sudanese government attributes them to the paramilitary group.
The conflict between Sudan’s national army and the RSF has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, with over 24,000 reported deaths and approximately 13 million people displaced, according to international aid agencies. The RSF has been accused of committing atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence, particularly in the Darfur region.
In response to the escalating crisis, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has offered to mediate between Sudan and the UAE, emphasizing Turkey’s commitment to preserving Sudan’s territorial integrity and preventing further foreign intervention. Both Sudan and the UAE have expressed openness to Turkey’s mediation efforts, signaling a potential avenue for diplomatic resolution.
The severing of diplomatic ties between Sudan and the UAE marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the complex interplay of regional politics and the urgent need for international intervention to address the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan.
, accusing the nation of supporting RSF){kind=link}