British lawmakers have accused the UK government of complicity in mass atrocities in Sudan, citing its close relationship with the United Arab Emirates, which allegedly supplies weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The accusation comes from a cross-party select committee report published on Wednesday.
Allegations of arms supply and UK complicity
The International Development Committee stated that the UAE has been a key supplier of weapons to the RSF, which has been implicated in widespread atrocities including ethnic cleansing, rape, and murder in Darfur and other regions. The committee said the UK government has failed to use its influence to stop the flow of arms, effectively making it complicit in the violence.
According to the report, the UK has continued to maintain strong diplomatic and trade ties with the UAE, including arms sales, despite clear evidence of the UAE's role in fueling the conflict. The committee chair, Labour MP Sarah Champion, said: “The UK government cannot claim to be on the side of peace while its closest allies arm one side of a brutal war. It is morally indefensible.”
Scale of the crisis
The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, has killed tens of thousands and displaced over 10 million people, according to UN figures. The committee noted that the UK has provided significant humanitarian aid but has not taken meaningful diplomatic action to address the root causes of the war.
“The UK has a responsibility to use its position on the UN Security Council and its close ties with the UAE to demand an end to arms supplies,” the report states. “Instead, it has prioritised trade and security partnerships over human lives.”
Government response
A government spokesperson rejected the allegations, stating that the UK is “actively working to bring peace to Sudan” and has imposed sanctions on individuals responsible for atrocities. However, the committee said these measures are insufficient and called for an immediate suspension of arms sales to the UAE until it ceases support for the RSF.
The report also highlights that the UK has not publicly condemned the UAE's role, unlike the United States, which has privately urged the UAE to stop arming the RSF. The committee urged the government to adopt a tougher stance, including potential trade restrictions.
Broader implications
The accusations come amid growing international scrutiny of the UAE's involvement in Sudan. The UN has documented numerous war crimes by both sides, but the RSF and its allied militias are responsible for the majority of atrocities, including systematic attacks on civilians. The committee warned that continued inaction by the UK and other powers risks prolonging the conflict and deepening the humanitarian catastrophe.
