The UAE and its War on Sudan

▪️Since the outbreak of the war in Sudan, the Emirati role has emerged as one of the most controversial issues, amid repeated accusations of providing military and logistical support to the Rapid Support Forces, which Abu Dhabi denies. The final report by the UN Panel of Experts on Resolution 1591 adds, according to its text, new evidence and details regarding the nature of this support and its impact on prolonging the war and strengthening the military capabilities of the RSF. ▪️The report, according to its contents, places Emirati support for the RSF among the factors that have contributed to the continuation of the war and devotes an independent section to documenting this support. It concludes that the UAE has provided the militia with weapons and foreign fighters, based on interviews, investigations, and documents that the panel stated have been examined and verified. Among the most prominent findings reported is the documentation of the role of Colombian mercenaries hired by a UAE-based company, noting close links between the company and Emirati institutions and officials. It also documented, according to the text, the use of the Ghiyathi and Al-Wathba bases in the UAE to train these mercenaries before their transfer to Sudan, which reflects, if the findings are accurate, a direct level of support that goes beyond mere arms supply. ▪️The report estimates the number of mercenaries at between 1,500 and 2,000, and points to their involvement in operating drones, ground combat, driving armored vehicles, operating artillery, and military planning, including operations related to the siege and control of El Fasher. ▪️The report also documents a network for transporting weapons and fighters via Abu Dhabi, Bosaso, Benghazi, Kufra, and N'Djamena, reaching as far as Darfur, in addition to transporting armored vehicles and personnel carriers manufactured or assembled in the UAE, and shipping them via Libya to Sudan. It also monitors an air bridge between N'Djamena and Nyala to transport fighters, equipment, weapons, and drones, while taking measures to avoid detection. ▪️These findings place the UAE before UN accusations of involvement in supporting one of the parties to the war, at a time when the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan is worsening. If these facts are confirmed, they place a significant political and legal responsibility on the international community to investigate them and hold accountable everyone who contributes to the continuation of the war and violations against civilians.