dHe has often denied the overt involvement of foreign powers in Sudan's deadly civil war, which is now firmly in the spotlight. Tens of thousands of people, including many civilians, have died since it began last April. Now, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of bombing its ambassador's residence in Khartoum, causing “significant damage.” The Sudanese Armed Forces denied this and said last month's attack was the work of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is backed by the United Arab Emirates.
Without a doubt, both sides are committing war crimes and are able to do so because foreign governments support them. The relentless flow of weapons has resulted in a huge and growing humanitarian disaster. Last week, UN-appointed experts accused militants of using “starvation tactics” against 25 million civilians. Additionally, 10 million people have been displaced and diseases such as cholera are spreading rapidly amid the world's largest hunger crisis.
While the fall harvest should alleviate some of the immediate food shortages for many, the long-term outlook is bleak. Both factions have attacked volunteers working to feed the hungry, many of them former members of opposition groups that led to pro-democracy protests a few years ago.
Wars between the strong punish and kill the weak. But there is something particularly grotesque about watching Sudan's citizens fall victim to the cynical interests of outsiders as they try to transition to civilian rule after a dictator.
Although the UAE denied supporting the RSF under the command of Mohammed Hamdan Taghalo, known as Hemeti, the UN “credible” allegations were made about arms exports. The United Arab Emirates is interested in Red Sea ports and resources of strategic value ranging from gold to land. Saudi Arabia and Egypt support the SAF, led by Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, and seek closer ties with Iran.
All of this has been described as “a Middle Eastern war being fought in Africa.” But diplomatic energy is focused on the Middle East war raging in the Middle East. When Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, recently met with Biden in Washington, Sudan praised only two passages. A long joint statement. Sudan is not always a priority, even when it comes to Sudan. A new article from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace notes that the United States has never accompanied its rhetorical support for democratic opening with adequate planning, commitment, or strategic assistance. The Trump administration's priority is to pressure the interim government to recognize Israel, which has sought to promote its Abrahamic covenants.
Recent plans for informal talks to resolve the standoff between the two generals have failed. Having recently launched a counteroffensive to retake Khartoum, General Burhan denies the strength of his hand. A resolution in Sudan is unlikely unless key external players – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt – reach an agreement. While the United States shows no signs of pressure, the UN The UK government, which presides over the issue in the Security Council, should step forward. But so should others. American rapper Macklemore has pulled out of a concert in Dubai after the United Arab Emirates was left shocked by his role in Sudan. Its drive to burnish its international standing is a cultural boycott and protests by sports stars and fans can have a real impact.
-
Do you have any comments on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to email a response of up to 300 words to our Letters section to be considered for publication, click here.
