U.S. Lawmakers Seek to Block Arms Sales to UAE Amid Sudan Conflict
Two U.S. lawmakers are pushing to block arms sales to the UAE, alleging the nation provides weapons to the RSF in Sudan’s civil war. The UAE denies these claims and emphasizes its humanitarian efforts. The lawmakers aim to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian disaster resulting from the conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s military, with legislation filed to halt recent arms sales.
In a recent statement, U.S. lawmakers Chris Van Hollen and Sara Jacobs revealed their intent to block arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing evidence of the UAE supplying weapons to the Sudanese paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A UAE official refuted these claims, insisting that the nation’s primary involvement in Sudan revolves around addressing the humanitarian crisis. The conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army has caused widespread suffering in the region, contributing to significant humanitarian issues.
The two lawmakers, following a briefing from the Biden administration, argued that the UAE’s actions are complicit in prolonging the violence in Sudan. Van Hollen stated the importance of the U.S. holding the UAE accountable for any actions that worsen the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Jacobs emphasized that stopping arms sales to the UAE could effectively disrupt the supply chain to the RSF and help stabilize the situation in Sudan.
The Biden administration is expected to provide a detailed assessment regarding the UAE’s assurances that it is not arming the RSF by January 17. Current U.S. law mandates a congressional review of significant arms deals, allowing senators to vote on resolutions that could prevent sales. Notably, the UAE has historically been a significant purchaser of U.S. arms, recently securing a potential $1.2 billion deal for military munitions.
Despite the lawmakers’ efforts to block the sale, they face an uphill battle as the UAE is regarded as a crucial partner in regional security. Their goal, however, is to garner awareness for the dire humanitarian crisis escalating in Sudan due to ongoing conflicts. Both lawmakers filed legislation in November aimed at halting the arms sale to the UAE, underscoring their commitment to addressing the humanitarian disaster in Sudan.
The article discusses the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the paramilitary RSF and the military, following their initial cooperation in a 2021 coup. This power struggle has led to a civil war, significantly impacting the civilian population and contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis. The lawmakers’ concerns stem from reports indicating that the UAE is allegedly supplying arms to the RSF, contradicting its official stance of providing humanitarian assistance in Sudan. Consequently, the UAE’s arms purchases from the U.S. and the implications of this situation on U.S. foreign policy are brought into question.
In conclusion, the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate due to the conflict between the RSF and the army, exacerbating humanitarian crises. U.S. lawmakers are advocating for a halt to arms sales to the UAE to prevent continued support for the RSF. While the UAE maintains it is not involved in arming either faction, the push from U.S. legislators highlights a critical examination of international arms sales and their consequences on global conflicts.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
