Arab’s Devil, Mohammed bin Zayed, Accused of Fueling Chaos and Destruction in Sudan

Criticism against Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed, often referred to as the “Devil of the Arabs,” has intensified due to his alleged involvement in widespread corruption and destruction in Sudan, as well as his support for the ongoing civil war in the country.

Sudanese Army Commander-in-Chief, Yasser Al-Atta, has renewed his accusations against Abu Dhabi, claiming that it is responsible for the devastation in Sudan. He launched a fierce attack on Mohammed bin Zayed, labeling him the “devil of the Arabs” and holding him primarily accountable for the country’s ruin.

Al-Atta described Mohammed bin Zayed as malevolent, stating that despite repeated attempts to communicate with him, he was unable to thwart his malicious intentions.

Al-Atta further asserted that the UAE aims to destabilize Sudan and seize control of its resources by backing the Rapid Support Forces and fueling the war.

Meanwhile, Sudan’s delegate to the Security Council confirmed the UAE’s involvement in the genocidal conflict, accusing it of supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces, escalating the violence, and causing the displacement of the Sudanese population.

Idris Al-Harith has asserted that the ongoing conflict in Khartoum would not have continued without the UAE’s support for the armed aggression plan. Sudan has formally complained to the Security Council, alleging that the UAE is orchestrating the war and aiding the Rapid Support Forces with support from Chad.

Amnesty International has highlighted the UAE’s involvement in a global death trade, pointing out its support for armed militias and its role in escalating civil conflicts through the continuous flow of weapons.

The organization cites Sudan as a prime example of Abu Dhabi’s harmful conspiracies and its violent role in civilian deaths.

According to Amnesty International, the influx of weapons into Sudan is exacerbating the conflict. The organization has documented the transfer of newly manufactured foreign weapons into Sudan, often in blatant violation of the arms embargo currently in place for Darfur.

Amnesty International found that newly manufactured or transferred weapons and ammunition from countries including the UAE, China, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and Yemen are being brought in large quantities into Sudan, and then in some cases being diverted to Darfur.

Since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces intensified in April 2023, over 16,650 people have been killed.

Amnesty International has reported on civilian casualties resulting from both indiscriminate attacks and targeted strikes against non-combatants.

Violations of international humanitarian law by conflict parties in Sudan have reached the level of war crimes, with over 11 million people displaced and millions more facing imminent famine.

Debroz Muchena, Senior Director of Amnesty International’s Regional Human Rights Impact Programme, stated, “The ongoing flow of weapons into Sudan is causing widespread civilian death and suffering.”

He noted that their research indicates these weapons are being wielded by fighters implicated in breaches of international humanitarian and human rights laws. “We have systematically tracked a range of lethal weapons, including handguns and rifles, used by the warring factions in Sudan,” Muchena added.

He also criticized the arms embargo, which is currently limited to Darfur, urging that it be revised and extended to include all of Sudan. “This is a humanitarian crisis that cannot be ignored. With famine on the horizon, the international community must not continue to fail the civilians in Sudan.”

Amnesty International examined over 1,900 shipping records from two commercial data sources and analyzed open-source and digital evidence, including nearly 2,000 images and videos, to document the presence of newly manufactured or imported weapons in Sudan.

The organization also interviewed 17 regional arms and conflict experts from February to March 2024 to verify their data analysis and investigate the arms supply routes utilized by different groups.

Amnesty International has identified newly manufactured or transferred small arms and ammunition from a range of countries being used by various parties to the conflict on the battlefield.

Both sides of the conflict have employed advanced anti-drone jammers, mortar shells, and anti-materiel rifles produced in China.

The Rapid Support Forces used a variety of newly manufactured armored personnel carriers imported from the UAE.

Data on shipment levels reveal that Turkish companies have exported hundreds of thousands of pistols and millions of rifle cartridges to Sudan in recent years.

Amnesty International suggests that these items may have been transformed into lethal weapons on a significant scale within Sudan, highlighting the need for closer examination of this minimally regulated trade.

Amnesty International has identified a new trend where small arms typically sold in civilian markets are being redirected to both government forces and armed opposition groups. Companies in Turkey and Russia have exported civilian models of these small arms, which are now being used by both sides of the conflict.

Weapons like the Tiger marksman rifles and Saiga-Mk rifles, produced by Kalashnikov in Russia and usually marketed to civilian gun owners, have been sold to arms dealers with significant ties to the Sudanese Armed Forces.

An analysis of small arms trade data has shown that small Turkish companies, including Derya Arms, BRG Defense, and Dhaliulu Arms, have been exporting Turkish short- and long-range hunting rifles to Sudan in recent years.

For example, a video shared on the official Rapid Support Forces account on X, allegedly filmed in Nyala, South Darfur on February 15, 2024, features a Rapid Support Forces soldier equipped with a BRG 55 rifle made by the Turkish company Borgo Metal.

Amnesty International has also uncovered evidence showing that modern Chinese mortar shells were used in El Daein, eastern Darfur, and that contemporary Chinese light weapons are widely available in other parts of Sudan.

“The UN Security Council should urgently extend the arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and enhance its monitoring and verification mechanisms,” said Debroz Muchena.

“It must oversee the expansion of the embargo and effectively prevent international transfers and illicit diversion of arms into the country. The embargo should encompass a broad range of weapons to address the widespread diversion of short-range rifles, hunting rifles, pistols, and related ammunition,” he added.

He added, “By providing weapons to Sudan, states party to the Arms Trade Treaty, such as China and Serbia, are violating their legal obligations under Articles 6 and 7 of the Treaty, thereby undermining the legally binding framework governing the global arms trade.”

He stressed that, “Given the serious and ongoing human rights risks, all countries and active companies must immediately cease all deliveries of weapons and ammunition to Sudan, whether directly or indirectly. This includes halting the sale and transfer of arms, military equipment, and related technologies, as well as any provision of parts, components, technical support, training, financial aid, or other forms of assistance.”

He also stated, “Countries must explicitly prohibit the transfer of civilian-marketed firearms to Sudan, as Amnesty International has repeatedly reported these weapons being used by conflict parties.”

Fighting broke out in Sudan in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary forces known as the Rapid Support Forces, supported by the UAE.

Since then, other armed groups and actors have participated in the conflict, allying themselves with either the Sudanese Armed Forces or the Rapid Support Forces.

The fighting erupted after months of tension between the two groups regarding security force reforms, which were part of negotiations to establish a new transitional government, among other issues.

The conflict has caused a significant displacement crisis, with the United Nations estimating that over 11 million people have been internally displaced since April 2023.

Additionally, approximately 1.8 million people have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, where they are living under extremely challenging conditions.