ICC Set to Address UAE’s Terrorism Support Charges

The Sudanese government plans to bring a case against the UAE before the International Criminal Court, accusing it of supporting terrorism by providing arms and backing the Rapid Support Forces militia.

Sudan recently updated its complaint to the United Nations Security Council, distributing a letter that presents clear evidence gathered by Sudanese military intelligence regarding the UAE’s involvement.

This updated letter included documents discovered in the Ashura apartment complex in Sudan, detailing the names of UAE presidential guard and special forces personnel who collaborated with the militia, as well as movement and airdrop orders, UAE license plate numbers, weaponry, and other significant documents that enhance previous evidence against the UAE.

In a surprising turn of events regarding the strained relations between the Sudanese government and the UAE, sources in Port Sudan have reported that the entire UAE embassy staff has departed from Sudan.

The departure reportedly stemmed from a conflict over travel protocols, as military intelligence insisted on manually inspecting all luggage. Initially, embassy staff resisted this directive, but ultimately, intelligence officers were able to carry out the searches.

While the UAE has not officially confirmed the exit of its staff, airport personnel have indicated that UAE diplomats left Sudan a few days ago following a thorough inspection process that is atypical for diplomatic circumstances.

Official documents have revealed the UAE’s aggressive involvement in exacerbating the civil war in Sudan by providing extensive financial and military support to the non-governmental Rapid Support Forces militia.

The Presidency of the United Nations Security Council shared a letter from the Sudanese mission detailing the UAE’s role in backing the Rapid Support Forces, which are currently engaged in conflict with the Sudanese army.

According to the Sudan News Agency, the document was recovered from a military vehicle captured by army forces during an assault by the Rapid Support Forces on the Al-Shajara military area.

The document stated, “Details of the military vehicle with chassis number VAD 2129, engine number 2222655, and model EX 300 _ISB679, one of the vehicles of Zayed Military City.”

Six documents were discovered in the Emirati military vehicle, labeled as top secret and belonging to the UAE Armed Forces’ Presidential Guard, Special Operations Division. These documents included a list of Emirati officers and personnel, details about weapons, and the daily movements and training of the Special Operations Platoon.

The letter also contained a request from the Sudanese government to the Security Council, urging it to take appropriate action to halt what it termed “malicious” Emirati interference.

The mission explained in its letter that the Council’s silence and unwillingness to take any action in this regard encourages the UAE to “continue its brutal aggression against Sudan, which exacerbates the suffering of civilians and undermines security and peace in Sudan and the entire region,” according to the letter.

Recently, Human Rights Watch confirmed that the UAE is exacerbating conflicts in Sudan by supplying new foreign-made weapons and equipment to one of the factions involved in the civil war, specifically the Rapid Support Forces militia.

The organization noted that the rebels responsible for war crimes and other atrocities in the ongoing Sudanese conflict have recently acquired modern foreign-made weapons and military gear from various sources, primarily the UAE.

Human Rights Watch emphasized that the United Nations Security Council should renew and expand the arms embargo and restrictions currently imposed on the Darfur region to encompass all of Sudan, as well as hold violators accountable.

Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, a senior researcher on crisis, conflict, and arms at Human Rights Watch, stated, “The conflict in Sudan represents one of the world’s most severe humanitarian and human rights crises, with combatants committing atrocities without facing consequences. The newly acquired weapons and equipment are likely to be utilized for further crimes.”

He also noted, “Since mid-2023, fighters from both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have shared photos and videos of new foreign-made equipment, including armed drones and anti-tank guided missiles.”

Human Rights Watch reviewed 49 images and videos, primarily uploaded by fighters from both sides on social media platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), showcasing the weapons utilized or seized during the conflict.

Since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces began in April 2023, many civilians have died, millions have been displaced, and widespread famine looms.

The two factions may use newly acquired weapons to continue committing war crimes across Sudan, not just in Darfur.

The UN Security Council is set to decide on September 11 about renewing the sanctions regime that currently limits military equipment transfers to Darfur, originally established in 2004 to address severe human rights violations during earlier conflicts.

However, the current embargo is inadequate as the ongoing violence has spread throughout Sudan. A nationwide arms embargo could improve monitoring and prevent legal arms transfers for use in other areas.

The Sudanese government opposes expanding the embargo and seeks to lift it entirely. The organization warns that lifting the embargo could exacerbate human rights violations, especially given the widespread atrocities already committed.

Additionally, the end of the arms embargo would hinder the work of the Group of Experts on Sudan, which provides vital reports on the conflict.

Amnesty International’s July report highlighted that weapons from countries like Russia, China, Turkey, and the UAE are being imported into Sudan and redirected to Darfur.

The organization urges the Security Council to expand the arms embargo to cover all of Sudan and to take decisive action against those violating the embargo, including publicly condemning governments like the UAE.