The UAE has assured US lawmakers that it will stop transferring arms to Sudan’s paramilitary forces, responding to concerns about its support for the RSF amid a brutal civil war. Lawmakers have decided to drop their objections to a $1.2 billion arms sale contingent on UAE compliance with this promise, with a deadline for evaluation set for early January. The conflict has devastated Sudan, prompting international scrutiny of arms dealings linked to the RSF.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has assured United States lawmakers that it will cease the transfer of arms to paramilitary forces in Sudan amid ongoing civil conflict. This commitment was communicated in a letter from the White House, where it was noted that the UAE has not provided weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and would refrain from doing so in the future. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Sara Jacobs expressed satisfaction with this assurance, indicating they would withdraw their opposition to a $1.2 billion arms sale to the UAE, provided the commitment is upheld.
In a letter signed by Brett McGurk, the White House’s Middle East coordinator, assurance was given by the UAE that it is not currently transferring arms to the RSF. Lawmakers see this as an opportunity to leverage arms sales to mitigate the escalating violence in Sudan. Senator Van Hollen emphasized his intention to monitor compliance and suggested that without UAE support, the RSF’s capacity would be significantly diminished.
The controversy surrounding UAE’s involvement with the RSF comes amid growing humanitarian concerns linked to the civil war, which has resulted in a high death toll and massive displacements. This announcement coincides with previous allegations of the UAE providing military assistance to the RSF, as noted by United Nations experts. Furthermore, the ongoing negotiations regarding a proposed sale of advanced weaponry to the UAE highlight the complexities of US foreign military sales in relation to regional stability.
The UAE embassy in Washington has not yet responded to inquiries concerning this development. Given the humanitarian implications of the conflict, the commitments made by the UAE, as stated by the US lawmakers, could pave the way for potential conflict resolution in Sudan. The upcoming deadline for the evaluation of the UAE’s commitments underlines the urgency of adherence to this agreement as it impacts not only arms sales but also humanitarian efforts in Sudan.
The situation in Sudan has escalated since April 2023, with a civil war primarily raging between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) resulting in widespread violence, substantial civilian casualties, and displacement of millions. The US Congress has expressed concerns regarding foreign military support for the RSF, leading to scrutiny of arms sales to the UAE, a nation alleged to have previously provided such support. In light of these developments, US lawmakers are keen to leverage military sales to influence the UAE’s actions in the conflict, aiming to reduce violence in Sudan and pursue negotiations for a truce.
In conclusion, the pledges made by the UAE to discontinue arms transfers to Sudan’s paramilitary forces could be a critical step in alleviating the ongoing humanitarian crisis precipitated by the civil war. US lawmakers’ assurances to monitor compliance highlight a proactive approach to managing foreign military sales. Continued diplomatic efforts will be essential to ensure that the situation in Sudan demonstrates improvement, paving the way for potential dialogue and peace initiatives.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
