UAE faces accusations of funding genocide in Sudan conflict

Sudan is currently engaged in a brutal conflict that escalated in mid-April 2023, following long-standing tensions between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group. This conflict has led to significant casualties, with over 24,000 people killed and around 14 million displaced from their homes according to United Nations reports. The situation has prompted the Sudanese government to file a case at the International Court of Justice, claiming that the United Arab Emirates is violating the 1948 genocide convention by supplying arms and financial support to the RSF. Sudan is urging the court to issue provisional measures to prevent further violence against ethnic groups, specifically the Masalit people, who are victims of ongoing atrocities in the civil war. The UAE has vigorously denied these accusations, labeling Sudan's claims as baseless and a public relations stunt intended to distract from the Sudanese Armed Forces' own record of human rights violations. They argue that the allegations are a misuse of international institutions and maintain that their actions are not contributing to the ongoing conflict. The UAE's stance is complicated by its status as a signatory to the genocide convention, although it has a caveat attached to the treaty that may limit the jurisdiction of the ICJ in this matter. Legal experts speculate that the court is likely to uphold this reservation, potentially stalling Sudan's case. Throughout the conflict, both the Sudanese military and the RSF are criticized for human rights abuses, making it a complex and multifaceted situation. The U.S. government has also weighed in, declaring that the RSF is committing genocide. As a response to these allegations and the role of the UAE, sanctions have been placed on key figures associated with the RSF and several companies linked to them within the UAE. The war has strained Sudan’s society significantly, leading to mass displacements and a humanitarian crisis, as millions of Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries. The situation remains dire, and any legal proceedings regarding the allegations against the UAE could have significant implications for regional stability and international law surrounding genocide prevention.