Liberia’s Sirleaf: UAE to disallow RSF
Sudan Events – Sumaya Sayed
The first democratically elected African president, Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf called on the UAE to cut its relationship with the “criminal” Rapid Support Forces (RSF) , which it accuses of committing heinous atrocities against women in the Sudan.
She stated that the role of Sudanese women in the overthrow of former Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in 2019 was pivotal.
However, in a terrible turn of events, Sirleaf says that Sudanese women are bearing the brunt of a fierce war that has been raging since mid-April between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
She reiterated that the sexual violence of all kinds has spread widely in war zones, noting that a report by a United Nations expert accused both parties of violating human rights laws, but it particularly expressed concern about the brutal and widespread use of rape and other forms of sexual violence by support forces (RSF).
She added that she was deeply concerned about accusations that some regional powers were participating in aggravating the situation of Sudanese women, and “, I was disturbed by reports that the United Arab Emirates was supplying the Rapid Support Forces with weapons,” she said.
It is necessary, according to the former President of Liberia, for “all regional and international actors to play a constructive role in bringing peace to Sudan, especially when the world’s attention is focused on other crises, and they must not commit gross human rights violations just to pursue economic interests.” And a selfish strategy,” she said.
Sirleaf pointed out that the UAE, which is hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference “COP28” this week in Expo City in Dubai, will tarnish its reputation if it fails to ensure a complete break with the warring parties in Sudan, especially “the criminal forces affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).”
