The Strasbourg Policy Centre, a renowned platform for international policy discussions, organized a highly anticipated event titled “UAE’s Role in Sudan War Crimes.” The event took place on February 12th, from 4 to 6 pm, providing much time for in-depth analysis and dialogue. Held at the prestigious Radisson Hotel Napoli, the event attracted the attention of policymakers, scholars, and citizens. During the event, a distinguished panel of experts delved into the complex dynamics surrounding the UAE’s involvement in Sudan’s civil war.
The speakers examined various aspects of the UAE’s contributions to the conflict through rigorous discussion and thorough analysis. They shed light on its strategic interests and operational strategies. The event witnessed commendable participation from attendees, reflecting the widespread recognition of its significance in addressing pressing global issues. Furthermore, the public response to the event was overwhelmingly positive.
The full script of the speakers’ discussion during the event provided below.
Giovanni Barretta, a parliamentary collaborator in the Senate and Chamber specializing in European affairs from Italy, delivered the first speech.
Why Sudan’s stability is important to Europe?
“Let me start by making it clear. All conflicts in Africa are lousy news for Europe and Italy. Why? In simple words, this means more illegal and uncontrolled migration.
“It’s important that regional countries and international powers stop fuelling the conflict in Sudan. For example, the United Arab Emirates is destabilizing Sudan by supporting one of the generals named Hamedti, who is attacking the legitimate government. There are more than 10 million refugees in Sudan now and then, and thousands of people have been killed and wounded.
“The complexities of the conflict in Sudan, where various factions vie for power amidst deep-seated grievances, demand a nuanced approach. While certain reports allude to potential involvement by external actors like the United Arab Emirates in supporting specific figures, attributing blame and assigning motivations within such a volatile landscape requires careful consideration.
“Instead of focusing on accusations and potentially amplifying divisiveness, let’s explore the broader picture. First, we must acknowledge the human cost of conflict. Every weapon that enters the hands of warring parties translates into potential suffering for innocent civilians. Proliferation of arms fuels mistrust perpetuates the cycle of violence, and hinders avenues for peacebuilding.
“Sudan’s history paints a stark picture of the devastating consequences of internal strife. Years of civil war ravaged the nation, displacing millions and leaving deep scars on society. Now, as the country cautiously navigates a fragile transition toward democracy, any action that risks reigniting conflict must be meticulously evaluated.
“The international community plays a crucial role in supporting stability in Sudan. This necessitates responsible diplomacy, fostering dialogue between all parties while upholding principles of human rights and accountability. Instead of fueling narratives of blame, the focus should be on encouraging inclusive dialogues, promoting reconciliation, and supporting initiatives that address the root causes of conflict.
“Remember, lasting peace cannot be imposed from the outside. It emerges through genuine commitment from within, through dialogue, compromise, and a shared vision for a just and equitable future. By promoting understanding and supporting collaborative efforts, the international community can contribute to a brighter future for Sudan, free from the shadows of conflict and the specter of external interference.
“This approach allows us to engage in a meaningful discussion about the situation in Sudan without perpetuating inflammatory narratives or potentially contributing to instability. By focusing on the bigger picture and the importance of peaceful solutions, we can contribute to a more constructive dialogue on this complex issue.”
Luca Antonio Pepe, an international relations expert and parliamentary collaborator, delivered the second speech.
“The United Arab Emirates’ support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s civil war is drawing criticism from observers who say it is fanning the flames of violence.
“The UAE’s support for RSF leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo has played a key role in his battlefield successes, according to Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics risk consultancy.
“In mid-December 2023, RSF fighters took over Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira State in Sudan’s agricultural heartland, with little resistance from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The city southeast of Khartoum had been a refuge for people and businesses, such as the banking sector, fleeing the violence in the capital region.
“SAF commander Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has taken a hard line against the UAE, expelling 15 UAE diplomats in December because of the country’s continued support for the RSF.
“Until recently, the al-Burhan camp exercised caution and diplomacy, avoiding direct verbal confrontations against key players such as Libya’s [Field Marshal. Khalifa] Haftar, Russia and Abu Dhabi,” Jalel Harchaoui, associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told Agence France-Presse.
“Haftar, Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries, and the UAE all have ties to the RSF and to Hemedti personally. Haftar and Wagner supplied weapons to the RSF early in the conflict using Wagner aircraft based in southern Libya. Wagner, which has recently been renamed Africa “Corps, and the UAE also have a long relationship with Hemedti through the mining and smuggling of gold from Darfur’s Jebel Amer mines, which Hemedti controls. Most of that gold ends up in the UAE, where it enters the international market.
“Hemedti maintains his own and the RSF’s finances in the UAE, which also is the home of the RSF’s social media propaganda network. In 2019, four years before the conflict with the SAF began, Hemedti bought 1,000 vehicles from the UAE that could be turned into machine gun-carrying “technicals.” The Dagalo family company that bought those vehicles, Tradive General Trading, is also based in the UAE.
Now, Sudan’s leaders say, the UAE is sending the RSF more than just ground transportation.
“We have information from intelligence, military intelligence, and the diplomatic circuit that the UAE sends planes to support the Janjaweed [RSF],” al-Atta said in a speech to members of the General Intelligence Service in Omdurman in November 2023.
According to researcher Mohamed Suliman, Sudan’s recent accusations are in line with the UAE’s ties to the RSF.
“The UAE’s support for the [RSF] militia comes in various forms, from direct funding to logistics and military equipment,” Suliman, who studies the RSF’s tactics, wrote recently for the website Politics Today. “This military support provided the militias with the necessary tools to commit countless crimes.”
“Writing for the Middle East Monitor, analyst Nasim Ahmed said the UAE’s actions help to advance its own interests in Sudan by securing access to gold and other natural resources there. Backing the RSF also gives the UAE leverage to counter countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, both of which back the SAF, Ahmed added.
“Rather than promoting stability and security, the UAE’s actions are contributing to the breakdown of institutions and the rise of violent non-state actors,” Ahmed wrote.
As the conflict between the SAF and RSF grinds on, the backing by outsiders — particularly the UAE — has become extremely important as the international community pushes for a cease-fire, according to Alex de Waal, director of the World Peace Foundation.
“What the peace efforts thus far have failed to do is to bring those external power backers, especially the UAE, to the table in some way,” de Waal told Al-Jazeera. “Until that happens, the war is very unlikely to be resolved.”
Daniele Naddei, a European journalist and expert in international and domestic affairs, gave the third speech.
The situation in Sudan Now
“Violent armed clashes broke out in Khartoum on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These clashes quickly spread to the periphery, with other actors getting involved, including in Darfur and in South Kordofan.
“The conflict is fluid and unpredictable. Warring parties are using heavy weapons in densely populated areas, with devastating consequences for civilians. In July 2023, the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into the allegations of international crimes committed in Darfur.
“This development comes following a prolonged political gridlock after the 2021 military coup. Prior to the outbreak of violence, the political, security, and economic instability, combined with a poor harvest, had already led to the worst humanitarian crisis in a decade.
“The ongoing conflict will further exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and create new ones. The EU has stepped up its humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable.
What are the needs?
“Around 25 million people (over half of Sudan’s inhabitants), of which 48% are children, urgently need humanitarian assistance in the country.
“The conflict that started in April 2023 is causing immense suffering among civilians, with recent reports of over 13,000 fatalities since April, although the data remains partial due to the extreme violence and limited communication and access. Violations of international human rights law and International Humanitarian Law by all parties to the conflict have been reported.
“In 2023, Sudan became the second most dangerous place for humanitarians in the world, with at least 22 aid workers killed, according to the Aid Worker Security Database. Medical staff and infrastructure are also increasingly being targeted, with 60 attacks verified by the World Health Organization since 15 April 2023.
“Food insecurity is on the rise, with a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) projection released in December estimating that 17.7 million people will be at high levels of acute food insecurity between October 2023 and February 2024, including close to 5 million in the emergency phase.
“Some experts suggest that food insecurity could significantly deteriorate, with the risk of it reaching IPC 5 (catastrophic/famine) if the situation is not contained with appropriate measures. “Sudan is also among the four countries in the world with the worst prevalence of global acute malnutrition, estimated at 13.6%.
“Throughout the country, 70% of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are considered out of service due to targeted attacks, occupation, looting of medicines and supplies, and an overall lack of medical staff and supplies.
“The disruption of basic public health services, coupled with a lack of access to water and sanitation systems, leads to disease outbreaks. These include malaria, measles, dengue, and acute watery diarrhea, diseases that had previously been under control. Since September 2023, a cholera outbreak has been ongoing in Sudan, with over 9,700 suspected cases reported in 11 states as of January 2024.
“Shortages of food, clean water, medicines, cash, and fuel, along with limited communications and electricity, are reported throughout the country.
“A major protection crisis is ongoing, as the conflict has triggered urgent needs for protection, including mental health and psychosocial support, sexual and gender-based violence services, and child protection.
“Around 9.1 million children urgently need humanitarian assistance for their education, as 10,400 schools (54% of the schools in Sudan) are closed.
“The conflict is resulting in large waves of forced displacements, with over 7.7 million displaced people reported so far (17 January 2024). Out of these:
“Over 6 million people, including at least 3 million children, according to UNICEF, are internally displaced, and over 1.6 million people have fled outside Sudan, the vast majority of whom are extremely vulnerable women and children.
“Most of those displaced across Sudan or in neighboring countries are in very dire need of protection and basic humanitarian assistance, including food, water, shelter, and health services, including mental health and psychosocial services.
“Beyond the large-scale displacement across borders, the increase in armed actors and attacks along the border areas is a serious threat to regional security. Sudan’s neighboring countries are also facing their own internal challenges.
The conflict is adding a new emergency to a humanitarian situation that is already deteriorating. Prior to the April 2023 conflict, the number of people requiring assistance had risen for the 5th year in a row.”
