The UAE must be held responsible for its part in Sudan's crisis | Letters

"What is now needed is a concerted international response. The UN and African fact-finding bodies have to date largely focused on the responsibility of Sudan's warring parties for international law violations committed. It is time to complement this focus, by documenting and investigating the UAE's involvement in the war with a view to establishing possible state and individual responsibility. This ranges from a failure to prevent both genocide in Darfur and international humanitarian law violations across the country to liability for the commission of international crimes."

"Such an inquiry ought not to be confined to the UAE. Multiple reports have pointed to the involvement of several states in the region and beyond in support of both sides, which has fuelled the war, particularly drone warfare. Foreign businesses and other actors have also reportedly been pivotal in sustaining and benefiting from Sudan's war economy. Having an official report documenting violations by external actors might spur states and others into adopting overdue measures in response."

"It might also influence the political calculus of influential states such as the UAE which have not faced any accountability to date. If that were to happen, diminished support for and pressure on the warring parties might well raise the prospects for an end to the fighting in Sudan. In turn, this would bring into focus who should provide reparations to the victims of the war and pay for the reconstruction of the country."

"Sudan's people have a right to freedom, peace and justice. This entails an end to the interference with their rights, be it from within or outside their country."

Evidence of United Arab Emirates involvement in Sudan’s war has led to calls for action. International efforts have largely concentrated on violations by Sudan’s warring parties under international law. External involvement should also be documented and investigated to establish possible state and individual responsibility, including failures to prevent genocide in Darfur and international humanitarian law violations across Sudan. The inquiry should not be limited to the UAE because multiple regional and international states have reportedly supported both sides, including through drone warfare. Foreign businesses and other actors have also reportedly sustained and benefited from Sudan’s war economy. An official report on external actors could prompt overdue measures, shift political incentives, and improve prospects for ending the fighting, while clarifying reparations and reconstruction responsibilities.

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