Sudan Events – Follow-ups
The Sudanese Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, Salwa Adam Beniya, expressed deep regret over the participation of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in a conference on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, organized and funded by the UAE, which was held on Friday in Addis Ababa.
Salwa said in a statement on Friday, “Unfortunately, this meeting, which claimed to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, was attended by international representatives, including the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, as well as representatives from neighboring countries.”
She added that the unprecedented humanitarian crisis currently facing Sudan is a direct result of the conflict led by the Rapid Support Forces militia. This militia has been involved in indiscriminate attacks on hospitals and schools, forcibly displacing civilians, committing systematic sexual violence, including rape, and looting humanitarian aid, including that of the World Food Program. The United Arab Emirates directly bears responsibility for exacerbating this crisis through its ongoing financial and military support for the Rapid Support Forces militia, making it a direct party to the conflict.
She emphasized that using humanitarian aid and the ongoing suffering of the Sudanese people to improve the UAE’s image and conceal its role in these violations is complicity in the continuation of these crimes, which constitutes a violation of international law and related UN Security Council resolutions, especially resolution 2736, which calls for lifting the siege on El Fasher and ensuring unobstructed humanitarian access to those in need.
She added, “It is unfortunate that the Rapid Support Forces militia has not complied with this resolution and continues to commit serious violations in the Zamzam camp.”
Salwa further stated, “The UN Secretary-General should have focused on implementing these resolutions to ensure the cessation of hostilities in Sudan and enhance the legitimacy of the UN, especially regarding the arms embargo on Darfur. Participation in this event contributes to normalizing the aggression committed by the UAE against the Sudanese people.”
She said that the participation of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki in this event, and their contribution to portraying the UAE as a humanitarian actor while ignoring its role as a party in the Sudan conflict, is deeply concerning. Such actions may encourage the UAE to continue supporting the Rapid Support Forces militia, worsening the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, while trying to cover up its responsibility for the suffering of the Sudanese people. Furthermore, the politicization of humanitarian efforts and the use of aid to achieve political agendas, as evidenced by the participation of certain Sudanese political figures linked to the Rapid Support Forces militia and the UAE, alongside organizations that should maintain neutrality and integrity, complicates the humanitarian response. This turns humanitarian aid into a tool for political pressure, undermining the fundamental principles of humanitarian work.”
She concluded, “The repercussions of this event necessitate the adoption of new approaches to protect our national sovereignty and the independence of our decisions. The Sudanese people will not accept submission to a new occupation agenda or the UAE’s manipulation in exchange for humanitarian aid. The basic principles of humanitarian work—neutrality, impartiality, and independence—will remain the only compass guiding our dealings with any relief efforts in Sudan.”
