Sudan accuses UAE of undermining sovereignty in aid dispute

August 7, 2024 (Port Sudan) – The Sudanese government on Wednesday launched a sharp criticism against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing it of undermining Sudan’s sovereignty by advocating the delivery of humanitarian aid across the conflict line without Sudan’s consent.

The escalation in tensions came after the UAE Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called on the UN Security Council to authorize the delivery of aid across front lines and borders to address Sudan’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Sudan’s Foreign Ministry countered that this amounted to a violation of Sudan’s sovereignty.

Sudan’s government, which has long accused the UAE of fuelling the conflict by supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), said it had presented evidence to the Security Council.

In a strongly worded statement, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry questioned the UAE’s sincerity in expressing concern for the Sudanese people, saying: “If the UAE really cares about the blood and safety of Sudanese citizens, it should stop providing militias with weapons used to kill our people and deprive them of food and aid. Only in this way can peace be achieved and humanitarian suffering be alleviated.”

Sudan further questioned the UAE’s motives in welcoming the Security Council’s involvement, asking whether the UAE would agree to an investigation into Sudan’s allegations against the UAE’s role in the conflict, including accusations of ethnic cleansing and starvation tactics.

The statement also called on the UAE to disclose the amount of UAE public funds spent on the Sudanese war and the amount of humanitarian aid it provided.

The diplomatic row further complicates Sudan’s ongoing conflict, raises questions about the role of outside powers in the humanitarian crisis and hinders efforts to find a peaceful solution.

It also complicates U.S. efforts to engage the UAE in resolving Sudan’s ongoing war, something military leaders strongly oppose.

To make matters worse, Sudan’s UN representative Harris Idris accused unnamed countries and international organizations of using the Chad-Adre border crossing to smuggle weapons and fuel to the Rapid Security Forces in the name of humanitarian work.