The UAE has assured U.S. lawmakers that it has stopped transferring arms to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces amid the civil war. This promise may enable the withdrawal of a proposed block on a $1.2 billion arms sale to the UAE. U.S. officials will assess compliance by January, emphasizing the importance of UAE support in resolving the conflict.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently assured the United States that it has ceased all arms transfers to paramilitary forces in Sudan amid concerns regarding the ongoing civil war. This assurance was communicated to U.S. lawmakers, who previously expressed intentions to block future arms sales to the UAE worth $1.2 billion. Senator Chris Van Hollen revealed that the UAE is currently not supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and will abstain from doing so in the future. The White House has requested an evaluation of these assurances by mid-January. Legislators are emphasizing the necessity of monitoring UAE compliance, suggesting that without their support, the RSF would be less equipped to continue the conflict. Meanwhile, the UAE has consistently dismissed allegations of its involvement with the RSF, despite previous UN reports validating concerns regarding arms transfer allegations.
The UAE’s commitment not to arm Sudanese paramilitaries comes in the wake of extensive violence and humanitarian crises stemming from the Sudan civil war. The RSF’s conflict with Sudan’s regular army has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of over 11 million people since April 2023. U.S. lawmakers, particularly Democrats, have been vocal in their opposition to potential arms sales to the UAE, aiming to leverage such measures to promote peace and negotiations in Sudan. Furthermore, the nuances of U.S.-UAE relations encompass previous discussions related to advanced weapon sales such as the F-35 jets, which have been stalled since President Biden’s administration took office.
The UAE’s promise to halt arms transfers to Sudanese paramilitaries represents a significant development amidst U.S. legislative concerns aimed at curtailing violence in Sudan. The assurances from the UAE have led U.S. lawmakers to reconsider their stance on a major arms sale, contingent on compliance with these promises. Observing the situation closely, lawmakers suggest that the UAE’s cooperation will be crucial to fostering a ceasefire and enabling negotiations. The dynamics of U.S.-UAE relations will continue to be influenced by developments in Sudan and the ongoing discourse surrounding arms sales.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
