The Washington Centre for Human Rights (WCHR) expresses grave concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan resulting from the ongoing civil war since April 2023. Beyond condemning the atrocities committed by all armed factions, WCHR highlights the specific and critical role of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in perpetuating violence and war crimes in this conflict.
Washington Centre for Human Rights (WCHR) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights and freedoms worldwide. WCHR engages in rigorous research, advocacy, and public education to expose human rights violations and support justice and accountability for victims of abuses across global conflict zones.
There is credible and mounting evidence that the UAE has provided extensive military assistance to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group responsible for egregious violations against civilians, including genocide against the Masalit ethnic minority in West Darfur. The support comprises sophisticated weaponry, including advanced Chinese-made guided bombs and howitzers, which have been documented in multiple attacks across Sudanese territories. Such aid is in clear violation of UN arms embargoes and international law.
Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have documented systematic war crimes linked to the RSF forces empowered by UAE support. These crimes include mass killings, ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, looting of food aid, widespread sexual violence even against children and extrajudicial executions. The UAE’s complicity in fueling this violence makes it an enabler of serious international crimes and obstructs prospects for peace and justice.
Further, the UAE has been implicated in orchestrating drone strikes on strategic locations such as Port Sudan, actions that have intensified the conflict and led to diplomatic rupture between Sudan and the UAE. These strikes exacerbate civilian suffering and destabilize the broader region.
While the UAE publicly advocates for ceasefire and peaceful transition, its military and financial backing of the RSF contradict these statements, undermining genuine attempts at conflict resolution.
WCHR calls on the international community to:
- Hold the UAE accountable for its role in enabling war crimes and violations in Sudan.
- Enforce arms embargoes strictly and investigate illicit transfers of weapons.
- Support transparent investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties, with particular scrutiny of the RSF and its external backers.
- Increase diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to halt the violence and protect vulnerable civilians.
The persistence of conflict fueled by external military and economic interests demands urgent, principled action to uphold human rights and international law. WCHR reaffirms its commitment to documenting abuses and advocating for those affected by this devastating war.