Activists Accuse Arsenal F.C. of Complicity in Sudan Crisis through Emirates Sponsorship
UK activists have accused Arsenal F.C. of ‘sportswashing’ Sudan due to its sponsorship with Emirates Airlines, linking it to escalating violence and human rights abuses in Sudan provoked by the UAE’s alleged arms support to the RSF. Protests occurred during a match, highlighting the humanitarian crisis that has seen significant casualties and rising incidents of violence.
Protests erupted outside the Emirates Stadium during the Arsenal F.C. match against Liverpool on Sunday, as activists from London For Sudan and Action For Sudan voiced their concerns over the club’s sponsorship agreement with Emirates Airlines. They accused Arsenal of ‘sportswashing’ in light of the alleged involvement of the UAE in Sudan’s deteriorating humanitarian crisis. In their joint statement, the activists spotlighted the grave violence in El Gezira, exacerbated by the defection of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Abu Agla Keikil, among others, to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The statement recounted that within just two days, over 500 individuals had reportedly lost their lives in a single village, with at least 37 cases of rape documented in the Rufaa area of El Gezira state. Furthermore, it was tragically noted that approximately 130 Sudanese women may have taken their own lives to escape the violence perpetrated by the RSF. Residents of El Gezira had expressed fears of violent retaliation from the RSF, indicating a possible escalation in civil conflict. These organizations assert that the UAE has been exacerbating the situation by supplying arms to the RSF, a claim that various stakeholders and activists endorse. During the UN Security Council meeting in April, Sudan’s Permanent Representative El Harith Idriss Mohamed explicitly accused the UAE of such actions, which the UAE has repudiated, terming the allegations and evidence as “baseless.” As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, protesters contend that the UAE, which owns Emirates Airlines, stands to gain economically from the ongoing violence by securing access to Sudan’s natural resources in return for supporting the RSF. The activists have emphasized that Arsenal’s ongoing relationship with Emirates Airlines correlates the football club with the violence in Sudan. They stated, “Arsenal’s continued partnership with Emirates Airlines implicitly links the club to these atrocities,” further charging the UAE with “sportswashing genocide in Sudan.” The activists have called upon Arsenal supporters and the wider community to join their campaign against the Emirates sponsorship, urging fans to “take a stand for Sudan” through signing petitions and demanding accountability from the football institution.
The situation in Sudan has been marked by increasing violence and humanitarian crises, largely driven by the activities of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and internal conflict among various military factions. Recent defections within these paramilitary groups have intensified hostilities, with devastating impacts on local communities. The role of outside influences, particularly the involvement of nations like the United Arab Emirates, has come under scrutiny. Allegations of arms supply by the UAE to the RSF have raised concerns regarding the UAE’s economic interests in Sudan amidst the turmoil.
The protests by activists against Arsenal F.C. stem from grave concerns surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which they attribute in part to the UAE’s alleged complicity. By linking the club’s sponsorship with Emirates Airlines to the ongoing atrocities, the activists aim to prompt a reassessment of partnerships that may implicate institutions in international humanitarian violations. They encourage public support for their cause to help bring attention to the plight of those suffering in Sudan.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
