Protests over UAE’s Involvement in Sudan: Culmination of Decades-long Grievances

Popular and official demonstrations are growing in Sudan and neighboring African countries, protesting the UAE’s aggressive involvement in escalating internal conflicts. Observers view this as the culmination of persistent grievances.

Observers suggest that Sudan is confronting an unparalleled humanitarian emergency, thrusting it into the global spotlight as a persistent humanitarian crisis in 2024.

The continuing conflict and external intervention have escalated this crisis, driving the country into a critical condition defined by extensive displacement, increasing violence, and a severe humanitarian access dilemma.

With the conflict spreading and deteriorating across Sudan, the toll on human lives and infrastructure is mounting, leading to the collapse of the healthcare system.

As the conflict spreads and worsens across Sudan, the loss of human life and infrastructure is increasing, including the collapse of the healthcare system.

Amid this chaos and ongoing conflicts, the involvement of external actors introduces an additional level of complexity to the situation, prompting important inquiries about Sudan’s future and the broader impact on regional stability and international relations.

Before the outbreak of conflict, Sudan was already suffering from a humanitarian crisis fueled by severe climate shocks, social and political unrest, and rising food prices, leading to poverty, hunger, and further displacement.

As the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continued, the situation deteriorated rapidly, pushing Sudan to the top of the emergency watch list for 2024.

Amidst the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the situation rapidly worsened, elevating Sudan to the forefront of the emergency watch list for 2024.

The conflict, which started on April 15, 2023, has expanded beyond Khartoum, particularly affecting regions like Darfur, where reports of widespread ethnic cleansing have emerged due to mass killings and displacement.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 12,000 individuals and has internally displaced nearly 5.9 million people, marking it as the most significant internal displacement crisis to date within the country.

Furthermore, the spread of the conflict into areas like Gezira State, known as Sudan’s agricultural hub, has caused the displacement of over 500,000 individuals and worsened the country’s food crisis.

Sudan’s healthcare system is on the verge of collapse, with more than 70 percent of medical facilities in conflict-affected areas either non-functional or closed.

The pressure on healthcare resources is worsened by difficulties in water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Outbreaks of measles and cholera have resulted in numerous casualties nationwide, with suspected cholera cases surpassing 8,500 in December 2023, marking a substantial rise from November of that year.

The United Nations experts called for urgent comprehensive political negotiations, accompanied by a humanitarian ceasefire, to move Sudan towards a civilian government and pave the way for sustainable development.

They stressed the need for all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, especially women and children, and to allow and facilitate the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian relief.

There is also a strong call for accountability, urging that perpetrators of human rights violations be prosecuted and that victims receive full compensation.

The global community has been urged to increase financial support for victim assistance by civil society and humanitarian aid to provide life-saving aid to the 25 million Sudanese in need in 2024. However, as of early 2024, only 3.1 percent of the necessary funds had been raised to tackle this crisis.

The external factor and its role in fueling the conflict

In light of the escalating humanitarian crisis exacerbated by international indifference, certain nations are implicated in perpetuating the conflict within Sudan. Rather than advocating for Sudanese-led reconciliation efforts to steer the country out of this dire situation, these countries are contributing to the continuation of the conflict. The involvement of the United Arab Emirates in particular has faced scrutiny in this regard.

During a BBC Arabic interview, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Sadiq accused the UAE of providing support to the Rapid Support Forces by supplying weapons and other military equipment. This allegation suggests that the UAE is connected to the ongoing devastation in the country.

Sadiq’s statements in the interview underscore a grim situation, wherein external backing of militias exacerbates the breakdown of social cohesion and further deteriorates the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The Rapid Support Forces, under the command of Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, are a central figure in this conflict, as the “alleged” Emirati support has exacerbated the humanitarian catastrophe.

The story of foreign intervention and its consequences is not unfolding in a vacuum. Across Sudan, there is a growing chorus of protests against the UAE’s role, mirroring a wider discontent that extends beyond Sudan and is sweeping across the African continent.

The demonstrations in Sudan against Emirati influence are finding echoes in countries such as Eritrea, where three months ago the government took decisive steps to expel the Emirati ambassador, indicating a rejection of Emirati military and political interventions on the African continent.

The popular and official reactions in Africa against the UAE’s role are not a sudden outburst, but rather the culmination of long-standing grievances.

The unified attitude of the African countries, notably evident in the buildup to the twenty-eighth Climate Conference, demonstrates a strong opposition to the UAE’s efforts to exert influence and interfere in the region.

The ongoing discussion regarding the United Arab Emirates’ investments in renewable energy and its control over natural resources in Africa has resulted in the exclusion of UAE initiatives in Africa from the agenda of the Climate Summit. Additionally, numerous African leaders have declined participation in the summit.

Furthermore, the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan, exacerbated by internal conflict and external interventions, demands an immediate and unified global response. The significant levels of displacement, loss of life, and infrastructure collapse highlight the pressing need to address this crisis, not solely as a humanitarian concern, but as a crucial step towards ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region.

Allegations have been made regarding external involvement in providing weapons and military gear to the conflicting parties, revealing the intricate network of international geopolitics that hinders the journey toward reconciliation and peace.

As the international community considers its next steps, the voices of the Sudanese people, who bear the brunt of this tragedy, must direct efforts toward a sustainable solution that prioritizes their rights, dignity, and aspirations for a peaceful future.

Observers assess that the path to recovery in Sudan is extensive and fraught with obstacles. However, with unified international assistance, a dedication to justice and accountability, and the cessation of conflict escalation, there remains optimism for a better future for Sudan and a reduction in the UAE’s aggressive involvement.