The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly denied any involvement in supplying arms and ammunition to the conflicting parties in Sudan following the outbreak of the conflict. According to a report from the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on Sunday, Afra Al Hameli, the Director of Strategic Communications at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, refuted media claims suggesting that the UAE supported any of the warring factions involved in the conflict that began in mid-April, pitting the Sudanese army against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Al Hameli reiterated the UAE’s commitment to remaining impartial throughout the ongoing Sudanese conflict and emphasized the UAE’s strong call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, while also respecting Sudan’s sovereignty.
The statement from Al Hameli underscored the consistent efforts made by the UAE to de-escalate the situation and promote diplomatic dialogue. The UAE has actively sought opportunities for dialogue through various bilateral and multilateral platforms in collaboration with its international partners.
Al Hameli’s statement, as reported by WAM, further asserted that the UAE has been a consistent supporter of the political process in Sudan, aiming to facilitate national consensus towards establishing a stable government. The UAE vowed to continue supporting all endeavors aimed at achieving security, stability, and prosperity in Sudan until a durable ceasefire is secured.
The conflict that erupted on April 15 involved clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF, a faction initially formed from government-backed militias. The tensions arose primarily due to disagreements over the integration of the RSF into the army.
Following the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, leaders from both the Sudanese army and the RSF gained significant roles within Sudan’s ruling council. However, a coup orchestrated by the army and RSF leaders in 2021 disrupted the planned transition of power to civilian leadership that had followed Bashir’s removal through a popular uprising.
Significant tensions emerged between Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, concerning the restructuring and hierarchy of the RSF as part of the transition towards civilian rule. As the conflicts escalated, Burhan removed Hemedti from his position as deputy in the ruling council.
This ongoing conflict has resulted in substantial human suffering, with an estimated death toll of at least 3,900 people based on conservative estimates from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Additionally, the United Nations reported that nearly four million individuals have been forced to leave their homes, either seeking refuge in regions unaffected by violence or fleeing the country entirely.
Despite previous attempts to declare ceasefires between the conflicting parties, such efforts have not been sustained, leading many observers of the Sudanese situation to confirm that both sides remain entrenched in their positions, making a near-term resolution of the conflict challenging.
In the face of these challenges, the UAE, as reported by WAM, has been actively engaged in humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people. The nation has established and maintained an air and sea bridge to deliver essential medical, food, and relief supplies, amounting to approximately 2,000 tonnes, targeting vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, women, and the sick.
Al Hameli emphasized that the UAE is closely monitoring the humanitarian crisis affecting the Sudanese population and is aware of the potential spillover effects on neighboring nations. This indicates the UAE’s commitment to addressing not only the immediate humanitarian needs but also the broader regional implications of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.