UK activists from London For Sudan and Action For Sudan protested outside Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium, demanding the end of the club’s sponsorship deal with Emirates Airlines. They warned of escalating violence in Sudan linked to the UAE’s alleged support of paramilitary forces, urging fans to take action against perceived complicity in human rights abuses.
Protestors representing London For Sudan and Action For Sudan convened outside Emirates Stadium during the recent match between Arsenal F.C. and Liverpool, advocating for the termination of the club’s sponsorship agreement with Emirates Airlines. This demonstration was prompted by the allegations that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) played a significant role in exacerbating Sudan’s dire humanitarian situation. In a statement issued prior to the protest, both activist groups emphasized the alarming rise in violence occurring in El Gezira, particularly following the recent desertion of paramilitary commanders from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The report disclosed that within a 48-hour period, over 500 fatalities were recorded in a single village, alongside reports of at least 37 instances of sexual violence occurring near Rufaa in El Gezira state. Disturbingly, it was noted that approximately 130 Sudanese women are believed to have taken their own lives as a means of escaping the brutality of the RSF. Residents in El Gezira have previously alerted authorities regarding the potential for severe reprisals from the RSF, sparking fears of a relentless cycle of vengeance and intensified civil unrest. The activists have accused the UAE of inciting conflict by providing arms to the RSF, an assertion that has been bolstered by allegations from various stakeholders within the international community. At the 9,611th meeting of the UN Security Council, Sudan’s Permanent Representative, El Harith Idriss Mohamed, explicitly attributed involvement in the conflict to the UAE. In response, the UAE has categorically denied these claims, labeling both the allegations and the supposed evidence as “baseless.” As the humanitarian crisis evolves, the protestors argue that the UAE, as the owner of Emirates Airlines, is capitalizing on the ongoing violence by gaining access to Sudan’s natural resources in return for facilitating support to the RSF. “Arsenal’s continued partnership with Emirates Airlines implicitly links the club to these atrocities,” stated the organizations, further criticizing the UAE for its attempts at “sportswashing genocide in Sudan.” The activists called upon Arsenal supporters and the public at large to back their initiative advocating for the cessation of the Emirates sponsorship by signing petitions and demanding accountability from the football organization.
This article presents a protest led by UK activists against Arsenal F.C., accusing the football club of ‘sportswashing’ Sudan in light of its sponsorship with Emirates Airlines. The protests arise from escalating violence and humanitarian crises in Sudan, particularly involving the RSF and SAF, amidst allegations of UAE complicity through arms supplies. This context illustrates broader geopolitical dynamics at play, where corporate sponsorships intertwine with serious human rights issues, particularly in conflict zones like Sudan.
In conclusion, the protests by London For Sudan and Action For Sudan serve as a poignant reminder of the complex relationship between sports, sponsorship, and global humanitarian crises. The activists firmly believe that Arsenal’s association with Emirates Airlines implicates the football club in the ongoing violence in Sudan. As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, the calls for accountability and an end to the partnership with Emirates reflect broader concerns over corporate complicity in human rights violations.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
