UAE Unveils Financial Aid Package to Enhance Its Image in Sudan

UAE authorities aimed to improve their tarnished reputation in Sudan and counter criticism for exacerbating the civil war by announcing financial aid.

They revealed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Program to deliver $25 million in emergency food assistance to those affected by the crises in Sudan and South Sudan.

The amount of the agreement, which was signed at the UAE mission to the United Nations in New York, will be distributed at the rate of 20 million US dollars to Sudan, and 5 million US dollars to South Sudan.

Observers and activists on social media mocked the Emirati move and Abu Dhabi’s portrayal of itself as the savior of the hungry and those affected by the civil war in Sudan at a time when it was the main cause of their tragedy and suffering.

The United Nations reports that over 17.7 million people in Sudan and 7.1 million in South Sudan are experiencing severe food insecurity due to the conflict that has persisted since April 2023.

The UAE authorities use relief work and slogans of humanitarian support to serve their political and security agenda, which was blatantly evident in the case of Sudan, which is suffering from chaos and civil war due to Abu Dhabi’s conspiracies.

Official documents submitted by the Sudanese government to the UN Security Council recently disclosed new evidence of the Abu Dhabi government’s involvement in using “humanitarian aid” to expand its military and security influence in a country embroiled in conflict since April 2023.

The full report submitted by the Sudanese government to the Security Council included documents that included copies of passport photos of Emirati officials active in relief and humanitarian work.

A human rights organization stated that the ongoing civil war in Sudan, marked by persistent violence and humanitarian crises, has been significantly worsened by the UAE’s covert involvement.

Americans for Democracy and Human Rights said in a statement that the UAE is working under the pretext of providing humanitarian aid to refugees, and is secretly supporting one of the parties to the conflict. This includes the provision of advanced weapons and drones, which has led to an increase in violence and a worsening of the humanitarian situation.

The organization reported that the UAE’s operations are focused on an airport and a hospital in Amdgrass, a remote town in Chad near the Sudanese border. Since June 2023, cargo planes from the UAE have reportedly been landing there nearly every day.

Evidence in Sudan suggests that the UAE supports the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group with links to Russian mercenaries Wagner and a history of committing atrocities.

The Rapid Support Forces, led by General Mohamed Hamdan, also known as “Hemedti,” are locked in a brutal conflict with the Sudanese regular army.

This war has tragically resulted in the deaths of 12,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 5.4 million people since April 2023.

The UAE considers Hemedti an important ally, as he is a former militia leader with deep ties to it.

According to the organization, the UAE publicly claims that its operation in “Am Degrasse” is purely humanitarian.

Emirati media have showcased the field hospital, which has allegedly treated more than 6,000 patients since July, highlighting the distribution of aid to local communities.

This assistance is, however, biased towards one side of the conflict. While the UAE claims to support Sudanese refugees escaping ethnic violence in the Darfur region, these assertions are misleading. The primary refugee crisis is situated hundreds of miles to the south, where over two million Sudanese refugees endure harsh conditions in overcrowded camps.

The organization stressed that the UAE’s involvement in Sudan is part of a broader strategy to expand its influence throughout the African continent.

It noted that the UAE has finalized commercial agreements worth billions of dollars to develop mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, acquire carbon credits in Liberia, and gain control of ports in Tanzania, Somalia, and Sudan.

Hemedti’s support is consistent with this strategy. The UAE sees Sudan as a potential source of food and guarantees it a location on the Red Sea coast.

In December, the UAE signed a $6 billion deal to develop a port 125 miles north of Port Sudan.

This duality has led to widespread condemnation. Sudanese critics see the UAE’s intervention as a profound violation of the UN Charter and a threat to regional and international security, as the UAE claims to be helping refugees while supporting the forces responsible for their displacement and suffering.

The organization concluded that the UAE’s covert support for the Rapid Support Forces has significantly intensified the Sudanese civil war, resulting in human rights violations and numerous casualties. It emphasized that the UAE’s actions are motivated by strategic interests rather than a genuine commitment to peace and stability.