Sudan has officially severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing the Gulf nation of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) responsible for widespread violence across the country.
In a nationally televised address on Tuesday, Sudanese Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim announced the decision following an emergency meeting of the Security and Defence Council, chaired by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
“The Council decided to declare the United Arab Emirates a state of aggression, sever diplomatic relations with it, and withdraw the Sudanese embassy and consulate general,” Ibrahim declared.
The move marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nations, as Sudan continues to grapple with a devastating internal conflict between the army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023.
Sudan’s government has long accused the UAE of supporting the RSF, describing it as a “rebellious terrorist militia” and alleging that the UAE has fueled the conflict by providing advanced weaponry.
According to the Sudanese defence ministry, the RSF has launched numerous drone attacks on both military and civilian infrastructure in recent months, including airports and power stations across the country’s northern, central, and eastern regions.
“For more than two years, the UAE has been carrying out aggression against Sudan’s sovereignty and the safety of our citizens,” said Ibrahim.
“We reserve the right to respond by all means to protect our territorial integrity and our people and to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need.”
The accusation follows a setback for Sudan on the international stage.
On Monday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed a case brought by Sudan accusing the UAE of violating the Genocide Convention by supplying arms to RSF forces operating in Darfur.
The court ruled it had no jurisdiction to hear the case, rejecting Sudan’s request for emergency measures aimed at preventing further violence against the Masalit tribe, which has faced ethnically targeted attacks by the RSF and allied militias.
The diplomatic fallout adds another layer to Sudan’s already volatile situation, with the population enduring the consequences of war, displacement, and a growing humanitarian emergency.
Written By Lisa Murimi.
