The UK has invited the UAE to a London conference on Sudan while excluding the Sudanese military government, sparking outrage. The UAE’s participation is contentious as it is accused of supplying arms to the RSF. Sudanese officials criticize the UK’s approach, viewing it as a PR stunt absent of genuine peace efforts.
The United Kingdom has provoked the Sudanese military government by inviting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to a conference on Sudan’s ongoing conflict, scheduled for April 15 in London, while excluding the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A document from the Sudanese foreign ministry highlights that the exclusion was justified under the claim that the SAF is a “warring party,” raising questions about the UAE’s participation given its support for the RSF during the conflict that escalated in April 2023.
The attendance of the UAE, which has been accused of supplying weapons to the RSF amid a humanitarian crisis, has angered Sudanese officials. They argue that the inclusion of the UAE undermines the conference’s legitimacy, labeling it as a mere public relations effort, particularly given the UAE’s ongoing legal issues in the International Court of Justice related to genocide charges against the Masalit community in Sudan. Other nations invited to the conference include Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, all of which are known to support the Sudanese army.
The UAE foreign minister, Anwar Gargash, responded robustly to Sudan’s complaint, urging that the Sudanese focus on ceasing hostilities and addressing the humanitarian crisis rather than engaging in media strategies to misrepresent peace initiatives. The United States has categorized members of the RSF as having committed genocide, particularly against the Black African Masalit in Darfur, intensifying the scrutiny on the UAE’s involvement.
Despite the strained relations, Sudanese diplomats had anticipated improving ties with the UK. Recently, UK Foreign Minister David Lammy expressed the importance of Sudan, leading to a meeting where Harriet Mathews conveyed concerns about factions supporting the RSF. However, with the current invitation list for the London conference, Sudan’s military government has expressed a need for the UK to reassess its stance on the RSF and acknowledge the exacerbating role of the UAE in the ongoing conflict.
Kholood Khair, a prominent Sudanese analyst, noted that the UK’s outreach to the Sudanese government might not have addressed UAE’s influence adequately. The future of the London conference remains uncertain, as skepticism grows regarding its efficacy in progressing towards a diplomatic resolution to the nearly two-year-long conflict, with some analysts dismissing it as purely performative, rather than a genuine effort to cease hostilities.
In summary, the UK’s decision to invite the UAE to the upcoming London conference on Sudan while excluding the Sudanese military government has sparked significant outrage among Sudanese officials. This action is viewed as contradictory, especially given the UAE’s alleged complicity in the Sudan conflict. The UK must navigate the complex dynamics of the Sudanese political landscape and reassess its strategies to ensure that all key stakeholders are included in the dialogue to promote peace and address humanitarian concerns effectively.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
