The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has assured United States lawmakers that it will cease supplying arms to Sudan’s paramilitary forces amidst ongoing violence. US lawmakers indicated they would pause efforts to obstruct a proposed $1.2 billion arms sale to the UAE following these assurances.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has informed United States officials that it has discontinued the supply of weapons to Sudan’s paramilitary forces, addressing concerns raised by US lawmakers regarding the country’s involvement in the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan. This commitment has prompted lawmakers to reconsider their attempts to block a significant arms sale worth $1.2 billion to the UAE.
Senator Chris Van Hollen, representing the Democratic Party, disclosed that he had received a letter from the White House conveying assurances from the UAE concerning its relationship with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group presently engaged in violent conflict with Sudan’s national army. The letter, signed by Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for Middle East policy, emphasized that the UAE is no longer transferring arms to the RSF and promised to refrain from doing so in the future.
The commitment by the UAE has been framed as a means to mitigate the ongoing violence in Sudan. Senator Van Hollen has explicitly stated that he intends to utilize the UAE’s adherence to this promise as leverage. Should the situation not improve, he affirmed that he would actively pursue measures to halt arms sales to the UAE.
Senator Sara Jacobs, leading a contemporaneous initiative in the House of Representatives, echoed this sentiment, asserting her intention to closely observe the UAE’s compliance with the stated assurances. According to Jacobs, the inability of the RSF to receive support from the UAE would diminish its capacity to wage war, potentially paving the way for negotiations and a ceasefire.
The backdrop of this situation involves the ongoing civil war in Sudan that has escalated dramatically since April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and the displacement of over 11 million people. The United Nations has previously reported credible allegations suggesting that the UAE had provided support to the RSF, fueling the conflict. As part of an international arms embargo, the complexities surrounding arms sales, especially regarding the UAE’s military capabilities and its geopolitical commitments, have featured prominently in US discussions related to Sudan.
In conclusion, the UAE’s pledge to cease arms supplies to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces marks a significant diplomatic development in the context of the brutal civil conflict. United States lawmakers are showing a willingness to monitor the situation closely and hold the UAE accountable. This commitment could prove critical in shaping the dynamics of the ongoing violence and may offer a pathway to potential negotiations and peace within Sudan.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
