Sudan urges UN action on RSF abuses, UAE involvement

UNITED NATIONS – Sudan called on the United Nations Security Council to take firm measures against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and hold accountable the countries supporting them, accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of directly contributing to the violence.

In a statement delivered at the Security Council meeting on Thursday regarding the Darfur Sanctions Committee, Sudan’s UN ambassador Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith condemned the RSF’s “ongoing aggression against civilians” and demanded clear action from the international community.

“The perpetrators of heinous crimes will face justice and be held accountable for their actions before national and international courts,” the statement said. “The element of impunity must be curbed this time.”

Al-Harith outlined plans to establish a committee focused on violations and war crimes in Darfur, aiming to integrate with the International Criminal Court (ICC). He also urged the Security Council to identify and hold accountable nations that support the RSF.

“The support of some countries for these militias directly contributes to the continuation of violence and destruction in Sudan,” the Sudanese representative said, specifically calling out the UAE as the “official and regional sponsor” of the RSF.

Al-Harith accused the UAE of supplying weapons and exacerbating the suffering of civilians.

“The continued negative UAE support prolongs the conflict and exacerbates the atrocities committed against innocent civilians,” the statement said, calling it “blatant contempt” for Security Council resolutions.

The Sudanese delegate presented satellite imagery from June 11, 2024, allegedly showing a UAE cargo plane flying over an area where RSF forces are located southeast of El Fasher, an area of active military operations since May 10^th.

“The UAE is not just a country supporting and sponsoring the militia war in Sudan, but rather it is a direct partner in the war and in the crime and violations committed against civilians in Sudan,” he concluded.

Al-Harith further reaffirmed his country’s commitment to protecting civilians under international law and highlighted the complexities of urban warfare, emphasizing the armed forces’ adherence to rules of engagement prioritizing civilian safety.