Sudan Events – Reports
U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has revealed her participation, along with other Congress members, in drafting a law that would prohibit arms supplies to the UAE until it ceases its support for the Rapid Support Forces militia.
In response to inquiries regarding the UAE’s military support for the militia, Jayapal stated that she has been involved in pressuring President Biden’s administration to urge the UAE to stop backing the Rapid Support Forces.
She added, “I have been deeply concerned by reports indicating that the UAE, an American ally, is fueling the conflict by sending weapons to the Rapid Support Forces and that Emirati companies are smuggling gold to finance the conflict.”
The congresswoman noted that she is sponsoring the “Stand with Sudan” bill, which, if passed, would ban U.S. arms sales to the UAE until the U.S. administration can confirm that the UAE is no longer providing material support to the militia. She added, “The United States must not provide arms and funding that fuel the devastating civil war in Sudan.”
Jayapal expressed her shock at the violence in Sudan, where more than 25 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. “It pains me to see the country descending into chaos and widespread suffering,” she said.
She urged the White House to use all available tools to push for peace talks that align with the Sudanese people’s vision of civil democracy.
Jayapal emphasized her commitment to working with her colleagues in Congress to provide humanitarian aid to Sudan and hold external actors accountable for their roles in the conflict.
In a related development, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen introduced a resolution seeking to halt U.S. arms sales to the UAE until it can be confirmed that the UAE is not arming the Rapid Support Forces, according to an early draft of his statement obtained by Reuters.
Van Hollen submitted a joint resolution on the matter to the Senate, while his Democratic colleague Sarah Jacobs introduced a similar resolution to the House of Representatives. However, their efforts are unlikely to garner significant support in Congress, as U.S. administrations under presidents from both parties have regarded the UAE as a key regional security partner. Nonetheless, their efforts highlight a conflict that has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
In a statement, Van Hollen said, “The UAE is an important partner in the Middle East, but the United States cannot stand idly by as it supports and fuels the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan. We must use our influence to help resolve this conflict peacefully.”
U.S. law requires Congress to review major arms deals and allows senators to force votes on resolutions of disapproval that could block such sales. While House members cannot compel such votes, the resolutions must pass both chambers of Congress and avoid a presidential veto to take effect.
