A bombshell United Nations report has exposed the United Arab Emirates as the primary military backer of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, revealing a sophisticated weapons pipeline that threatens to prolong the country's devastating civil war.
The 48-page document, seen by security council members, presents compelling evidence that the UAE has been systematically funnelling military support to the paramilitary group through neighbouring Chad. This clandestine operation represents a clear violation of the UN arms embargo imposed on the Sudan conflict.
Shadow War Exposed
According to UN investigators, the Emirates have established a covert supply route moving weapons from northern Chad into Darfur, effectively creating a lifeline for the RSF. The report details how this external support has enabled the militia to maintain its military campaign against the Sudanese armed forces.
The findings come amid mounting international concern about the RSF's conduct, with the militia facing allegations of ethnic cleansing and widespread human rights abuses across the Darfur region.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Deepens
As the weapons flow continues, Sudan faces one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies. The conflict has displaced nearly ten million people internally and across borders, while pushing millions to the brink of famine.
UN aid agencies report that over 25 million Sudanese now require humanitarian assistance - more than half the country's population. The fighting has devastated healthcare systems, education, and basic infrastructure, creating what many are calling a generational catastrophe.
International Response and Denials
The UAE has consistently denied providing military support to either side in the conflict, maintaining its position as a humanitarian actor in the region. However, the UN report presents what investigators describe as "credible and compelling evidence" contradicting these claims.
Western diplomats have expressed grave concern about the findings, with several security council members pushing for a formal response to the violations. The revelations threaten to strain the UAE's relationships with key international partners who have been working to mediate peace talks.
Regional Power Play
Analysts suggest the Emirati involvement reflects broader regional power struggles, with the UAE seeking to counter Islamist influences and secure its strategic interests in the Horn of Africa. The support for RSF forms part of a complex geopolitical chess game being played out across multiple conflict zones.
As the international community digests these revelations, pressure is mounting for concrete action to address the weapons flows and revive stalled peace efforts. With the conflict showing no signs of abating, many fear the UN report may represent just the tip of the iceberg in terms of external interference in Sudan's tragedy.
