Sudan Accuses UAE of Deploying Colombian Mercenaries in Civil War
Sudan has officially accused the United Arab Emirates of sending Colombian mercenaries to support the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its ongoing civil war against the military. In a statement released on Monday, the Sudanese foreign ministry claimed to possess “irrefutable evidence” that the Emirati authorities financed these mercenaries, along with fighters from some neighbouring African countries. The statement did not disclose the specific evidence or identify the neighbouring nations involved.
The Sudanese government described this situation as an “unprecedented phenomenon” that threatens peace and security both regionally and across the African continent. It emphasized that hundreds of thousands of mercenaries have allegedly been recruited from various parts of Africa, raising concerns about the broader implications of foreign involvement in the conflict.
The civil war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, initially igniting in Khartoum before escalating throughout the country. Tensions between the RSF and the Sudanese army have resulted in over 40,000 fatalities and displaced approximately 12 million people, driving many towards the brink of famine.
Sudan has a history of accusing the UAE of complicity in the conflict, alleging that it has supplied the RSF with weapons. The UAE has consistently denied these claims. In a statement from November, a report by Amnesty International indicated that armored vehicles manufactured by the UAE, equipped with French defense systems, had been seized by the Sudanese military.
In response to these accusations, a spokesperson for the Emirati government asserted that the UAE is the victim of a “coordinated disinformation campaign” aimed at undermining its foreign policy and humanitarian efforts in the region.
Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have faced allegations of severe human rights violations, including ethnic cleansing, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence against civilians, including children. These reports further complicate the situation, as evidence of atrocities continues to emerge from conflict zones across Sudan.
As the situation develops, the international community closely monitors the conflict and the implications of foreign involvement, with calls for accountability and humanitarian assistance growing louder.
