UAE calls out Sudanese propaganda and calls for end to fighting
On August 10th the UAE renewed their call for an end to the violent civil war taking place in Sudan, prompted by what the UAE has described as rising propaganda and misinformation from the Sudanese army, according to The National.
The civil war in Sudan broke out in 2023 between the Sudanese military, represented by the Port Sudan Authority, and the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement released on August 10th read that “Since the onset of the civil war, the UAE has consistently supported regional and international efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for violations committed by all warring parties,” adding that the misinformation being spread aims to undermine any hopes of a ceasefire.
The “marked increase” in misinformation and propaganda have been attributed to the Port Sudan Authority, and therefore the Sudanese military, by the UAE.
Tensions between the two nations reached a breaking point in early May when Sudan’s Minister for Defence announced that they were “severing diplomatic relations with the UAE,” due to Sudan’s claim that the UAE has been backing the Rapid Support Forces.
“These escalating fabrications form part of a calculated pattern of deflection – shifting blame to others to evade responsibility for its own actions – intended to prolong the war and obstruct a genuine peace process,” read the ministry’s statement.
Accusations have been made against the UAE regarding their involvement in the war by the Sudanese government recently, including that they have been sending mercenaries from Colombia and North African nations to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces.
On August 4th Sudan’s foreign ministry released a statement claiming that they have “irrefutable evidence” of the UAE sending foreign troops into Sudan to fight for the RSF, which the UAE was quick to completely deny.
Following this, on August 7th Sudan announced that they had carried out an airstrike on an airport controlled by the RSF, killing 40 suspected Colombian mercenaries and a military aircraft allegedly from the UAE.
The UAE denied the claim that this was their aircraft, describing the allegation as part of Sudan’s “ongoing campaign of disinformation and deflection.”
The most recent statement from the UAE rejects the idea that they are committed to either side in the war, instead reaffirming its “unwavering commitment to working closely with partners to foster dialogue, mobilise international support, and contribute to initiatives that address the humanitarian crisis and lay the groundwork for sustainable peace,” adding that “These efforts will assist in building a secure and stable future for Sudan that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people for peace and development.”
The National/Maghrebi
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