Sudan has cut diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing the Gulf state of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the country’s ongoing civil conflict.
The announcement came after the RSF were blamed for a series of drone attacks on the previously safe city of Port Sudan, which began on Sunday and continued until Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Sudan’s Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim accused the UAE of violating the country’s sovereignty by allegedly backing the RSF as a proxy force. The UAE has repeatedly denied providing financial, military, or political support to the paramilitary group.
As a consequence of the minister’s announcement, Sudan will withdraw its ambassador from the UAE and close its diplomatic missions in the Gulf state.
The conflict in Sudan, now in its second year, has killed thousands, displaced millions, and created what international agencies describe as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Since Sunday, drone strikes have targeted critical infrastructure in Port Sudan, including the international airport, a major power station, and a hotel. The Sudanese army has blamed the RSF for the assaults, although the group has yet to respond.
On Wednesday, the Sudanese army claimed to have intercepted a strike on the country’s largest naval base, using anti-aircraft missiles to fend off incoming drones, according to an unnamed military source cited by AFP.
Until now, Port Sudan had remained relatively unscathed, serving as a refuge for those fleeing conflict zones elsewhere in the country.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague dismissed a genocide case brought by Sudan against the UAE on Monday. The court ruled that the UAE could not be sued over allegations of complicity in genocide, as it had opted out of Article 9 of the Genocide Convention.
Reem Ketait, the UAE’s deputy assistant minister for political affairs, welcomed the ruling, describing it as “clear and decisive.” She emphasized the need for international focus on ending the war in Sudan and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those most in need.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
