UAE Faces Growing Outrage over Support for Paramilitary in Sudan

The United Arab Emirates is facing growing international outrage over its involvement in Sudan’s civil war after paramilitary fighters backed by the gulf state went on a rampage in the city of El Fashir late last month, slaughtering families, doctors and other civilians. Advocacy groups, members of the U.S. Congress and regional experts have condemned the Rapid Support Forces’ actions in El Fashir as a genocide, and blamed the UAE for backing the fighters and fueling the violence that has wreaked havoc across Sudan’s western Darfur region for more than two years. The Emiratis have denied backing the RSF, despite evidence showing the gulf state has provided munitions, drones and other military support to the paramilitary group. … The gulf state’s involvement in the Sudanese civil war stems from its interests in the Red Sea, which sees about 12 percent of world shipping, experts have said. That shipping lane is crucial for trade at Emirati ports. The oil-rich nation also has interests in Sudan’s gold and agriculture sectors, part of a broader effort to diversify its economy. (The Washington Post)