Ros Atkins on… The alleged links between the UAE and Sudan’s civil war | BBC News

 Sudan has been facing a brutal civil war since April 2023. The conflict is mainly between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. In this episode of Ros Atkins on…, BBC News examines allegations that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may have links to the conflict, particularly through alleged support for the RSF.

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What are the allegations?

According to Sudan’s government, UN experts, and international investigations, the UAE is accused of providing indirect support to the RSF. These allegations include supplying weapons, military equipment, and logistical assistance, despite an international arms embargo on Sudan.

Weapons and military support

Reports cited by the BBC suggest that weapons used by the RSF may have been transported through neighbouring countries such as Chad, with links allegedly tracing back to the UAE. Satellite images, flight records, and UN expert reports have raised questions about cargo flights that were officially labelled as humanitarian aid.

Logistics and transport

Investigations have highlighted repeated flights from the UAE to airstrips near Sudan’s borders. Critics argue that these flights may have been used to deliver military supplies to the RSF, although concrete proof is difficult to establish publicly.

Mercenaries and foreign fighters

Another serious allegation discussed is the recruitment of foreign fighters, including individuals from Latin America. Some reports claim UAE-linked companies were involved in recruitment efforts, though these claims remain contested.

UAE’s response

The UAE has strongly denied all accusations. It states that it does not support any side in Sudan’s war and insists that its involvement is purely humanitarian, aimed at providing aid to civilians affected by the conflict.

International reaction

Sudan has taken the issue to international bodies, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the UAE of supporting crimes committed by the RSF. However, legal proceedings have faced challenges, and investigations are still ongoing.

Why this matters

The war in Sudan has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and thousands killed. Allegations of foreign involvement raise serious concerns about how the conflict is being prolonged and why peace remains so difficult to achieve.