The UK faces backlash from Sudanese officials for inviting the UAE to a London conference on Sudan while excluding the Sudanese army government. The UAE’s involvement is criticized given its relationship with the RSF during the war. This decision has led to questions about the conference’s potential effectiveness in promoting dialogue and peace amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The United Kingdom has sparked outrage from the Sudanese army-aligned government by inviting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to a London conference focusing on the ongoing war in Sudan, scheduled for April 15. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), its primary adversary, have not received invitations, highlighting objections from the Sudanese officials who deem the UAE an unfit participant given its alleged support for the RSF during the conflict.
The Sudanese foreign ministry has expressed discontent over the UAE’s inclusion, indicating that the invitation is misguided, particularly since the UAE is seen as a direct participant in the war. The document shared with Middle East Eye remarked on the contradiction of inviting a party involved in the conflict while excluding the main combatants. Sudan’s army government criticized the upcoming conference as potentially serving merely as a “public relations stunt” for the UAE amidst accusations of genocide against Sudanese communities.
In addition to the UAE, the UK has also invited Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, nations generally aligned with the Sudanese army, to discuss ways forward for Sudan. This has further fueled grievances amongst the officials of the Sudanese army, who argue that the UAE’s engagement only serves to undermine legitimate peace efforts while deviating from accountability for its actions in Sudan.
The UAE’s foreign relations have recently come under scrutiny due to Sudan’s demand for proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the UAE regarding its alleged complicity in genocidal acts against the Masalit community. UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash suggested that Sudan should prioritize a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis instead of furthering political disputes.
Despite the concerns surrounding the UAE’s involvement, recent evidence suggests that it has been financially intertwined with Sudan through trade, making it a significant player in the conflict. Commentary from experts indicates that the exclusion of Sudan’s army government from substantive talks while including the UAE may hinder any potential for productive negotiations to resolve the ongoing war.
The revelations regarding the UK’s invitation have shocked Sudanese diplomats, who believed relations with the UK were improving. The perception that the UK is distancing itself from treating both armed factions as equally culpable was reinforced by recent meetings between Sudanese officials and UK representatives. However, the unexpected exclusion from the conference has prompted Sudan’s army government to call for a reassessment of the UK’s diplomatic approach toward the conflict.
Overall, doubts remain about the forthcoming London conference’s capacity to facilitate any meaningful diplomatic progress, especially considering various stakeholders’ conflicting interests. Analysts have characterized the upcoming event as merely performative in nature, emphasizing the need for all relevant participants, including the Sudanese government, to be included in discussions to address the dire humanitarian situation effectively.
The UK’s decision to invite the UAE over the Sudanese army government to the upcoming London conference has incited significant unrest among Sudanese officials, who perceive the UAE’s involvement as problematic. Criticism has arisen regarding the conference’s potential to genuinely contribute to resolving the ongoing conflict, emphasizing a need for inclusivity among all key stakeholders. The outcome of this engagement remains uncertain, with many believing that genuine efforts towards peace have yet to materialize amidst ongoing hostilities.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
