After U.S. Secretary of State’s Remarks… Has International and Regional Patience Run Out with the Militia and the UAE?
Sudan Events – Agencies
In what many saw as a stark contrast to previous statements by U.S. envoy Masud Bolus, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly reversed the narrative in a press conference, delivering a blunt warning from Washington. Rubio stated clearly that the core problem facing the U.S. is not General Burhan, but the militia. He said, “The fundamental issue we face is that the Rapid Support Forces agree to things but never follow through and are unable to implement them. As a result, we find ourselves facing a real catastrophe today.” He added, “Steps must be taken to stop the flow of weapons and halt the support received by the Rapid Support Forces, which continue their advances on the ground since July and August. We are monitoring Sudan within the Quartet because there are countries involved in supporting these fighting elements on the ground, and we share many of the concerns others have expressed about how this could become a hub for jihadist and terrorist activities.”
Listing as a Terrorist Entity:
The U.S. Secretary also remarked, “The Rapid Support Forces do not intend to adhere to the ceasefire despite having announced their agreement. Therefore, if adding them to terrorist lists helps, we are open to it and ready for that step.” He continued, “We know the parties involved, which is why they are part of the Quartet alongside other countries. I can confirm that at the highest levels of our government, this issue is being raised and pressure is being applied to the concerned parties. I do not wish to point fingers or name any entity in this press conference, because what we want is a positive outcome… It is clear that they are receiving support from abroad.”
When asked by a journalist about reports that the UAE is supplying them with Chinese drones, Rubio responded, “We are aware of that and know all the parties facilitating the entry of weapons through their territories, and we are exerting pressure at the highest levels.”
Path to a Solution:
Professor Hatim Al-Madah, an expert in international relations at U.S. universities, commented on Facebook following the U.S. official’s statement that Rubio “hit the nail on the head by pinpointing the issues obstructing the process, namely the Rapid Support Forces’ failure to honor commitments and their general inability to comply, as they are ultimately not regular forces but a tribal militia. He also identified the country supporting them, even if not named directly. I believe the U.S. has reached clear conclusions based on reliable information, and the statement reflects the administration’s position, not an individual opinion. It seems they have now outlined a path to a solution, and the Secretary’s statement sends a clear message to the UAE, which has escalated tensions.”
While some suggested that the U.S. message was merely a tactical maneuver following Turkey’s hint at intervention, journalist Mohamed Hamed Jomaa Nawar said, “Downplaying the impact of the Secretary of State’s remarks is either misleading or denial. These are pivotal statements with undeniable diplomatic and political repercussions.”
Time Has Run Out:
Meanwhile, Hussein Abish, a researcher at the Gulf States Institute in Washington, noted an ongoing regional conflict between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Sudan. Sources have reported tensions over the UAE’s role in Sudan. Reports published by Middle East Eye revealed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman intends to request former President Trump to pressure the UAE to halt its support for the Rapid Support Forces during their upcoming meeting in Washington. This comes ahead of an expected international and regional summit in Turkey to discuss the situation in Sudan.
The Secretary’s remarks, combined with Saudi frustration and growing impatience from Egypt and Turkey over the UAE’s increasing weapon shipments and insistence on opening new supply routes for the militia, suggest that international and regional patience is wearing thin—particularly in light of widespread images and videos documenting killings and abuses by the militia.
Hussein Abish commented, “It seems Secretary Rubio intended to respond to an anticipated Saudi request to pressure the UAE. He did not name them directly, but the message is clear: America is saying to the UAE that time has run out, and the weapon shipments to the Rapid Support Forces must stop. This is the straightforward interpretation of the U.S. Secretary of State’s statement.”
