US accuses Russia of funding both sides fighting in Sudan
The US has accused Russia of funding both sides fighting in Sudan, which is a step up from its previous allegation that Moscow was trying to play both sides in the conflict up against each other and another scathing attack on Russian foreign policy from Washington.
The accusation made at the UN on January 6th reported by Reuters is that Russia has backed both the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, who have been at war since April 2023.
Russia vetoed a UN security council draft resolution in November calling on the warring parties to immediately end hostilities and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid – a resolution all 14 other UNSC members voted in favour of.
UU Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council on January 6th that “Russia chose obstruction, standing alone as it voted to imperil civilians, while funding both sides of the conflict – yes, that’s what I said, both sides,” without further elaboration.
Asked for a elaboration, a spokesperson for the US mission to the UN said the US was aware of Russia’s “ongoing interest in Sudan’s gold trade” and condemns any support for the warring parties “whether it be through illicit gold trading or the provision of military equipment.”
“We believe Sudanese authorities’ gold mining cooperation with sanctioned Russian entities and individuals could prove inimical to Sudan’s long-term interests and the aspirations of the Sudanese people for an end to the war,” the spokesperson added.
Russia’s deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy responded by saying “we regret that the U.S. tries to judge other world powers by its own yardstick.”
“It’s obvious that in the Pax Americana which our American colleagues try to preserve at any price, relations with other countries are built only on their exploitation and criminal schemes aimed at U.S. enrichment,” he added.
Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia rejected what he termed “fabrications spread by Western countries and their media” that Russia was trying to play both sides to benefit from the war.
Reuters
