Report: UK 'Tried to Suppress Criticism' of Alleged UAE Role in Sudan

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Facts

  • UK officials are being accused of trying to suppress criticism of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its alleged involvement in supplying military arms to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is accused of committing mass ethnic killings in the country.1
  • Sources told the Guardian that the UK government is attempting to quell criticism of the Gulf state. Top African diplomats told international human rights lawyer Yonah Diamond that the UK lobbied states not to condemn the UAE during this month’s informal negotiations in Ethiopia.2
  • The RSF has been fighting Sudan’s army since April 2023, and the militia has seized control of western Sudan’s Darfur region — except for the capital of North Darfur, el-Fasher. The city is currently besieged by the RSF, which is allegedly killing ethnic minority groups in the area.3
  • Tensions flared between Sudan and the UAE during a UN Security Council meeting last week when the Sudanese government accused the emirate of supplying weapons to RSF, which the UAE called 'ludicrous.'4
  • The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office categorically denied any efforts to stop criticism of the UAE's alleged involvement in Sudan, noting the UK-led Security Council’s resolution that called for the RSF to 'halt their siege.'1
  • The UAE canceled multiple meetings in April with UK ministers over the Sudan conflict. The Times reported Sunday that the UAE was angered that the UK didn't defend the emirate during the UN meeting — prompting the Gulf country to cancel four British ministerial meetings.5

Sources: 1Guardian, 2Al Mayadeen English, 3Al Jazeera, 4Associated Press and 5Middle East Eye.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Middle East Monitor. It seems like the UK is tacitly supporting the RSF's ethnic cleansing campaign in Sudan by taking the side of the UAE. Despite its claims to the contrary, multiple high-level sources have claimed the UAE is providing arms to the militia and acting as its main benefactor. The UAE's relationship with the UK has led the country to relax its stance on the brutal conflict that has killed thousands of Sudanese, and it's clear that Emirati influence has caused the UK to support a genocidal insurgency.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by UN News. Led by the UK, the UN National Security Council is unequivocally calling for the RSF to end its campaign in Darfur. The international community has made its stance crystal clear, and the UK has taken bold action to condemn the violence in Sudan. It has also called on other coalitions, including the League of Arab States, to promote peacemaking efforts. Clearly, the UK is opposed to the RSF.

Predictions