Reuters, citing an internal memo, revealed information indicating that the UAE is funding a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) camp inside Ethiopian territory. This report intensifies the debate surrounding foreign interference in the ongoing Sudanese conflict, highlighting the complexities of the regional landscape in the Horn of Africa.
Background of the conflict in Sudan
Since mid-April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a bloody conflict between the Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). This armed conflict has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with millions of Sudanese displaced both internally and externally, amidst a severe deterioration of infrastructure and health services. The warring parties accuse each other of receiving external support to fuel the war, which complicates international and regional mediation efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire.
Details of the memo and the charges brought
According to Reuters, the internal memo points to evidence linking the United Arab Emirates to logistical and military support for a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) camp located in Ethiopia. This information is part of a series of previous reports and investigations, as well as reports by UN experts, that have suggested a UAE role in supporting the RSF through neighboring countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic. The UAE has repeatedly denied these allegations, asserting that its efforts are limited to humanitarian work and supporting refugees.
Regional and international dimensions
This news is particularly significant given Ethiopia's geopolitical location and its influence in the region. The presence of a Rapid Support Forces camp on its territory, funded from abroad, could further strain already tense Sudanese-Ethiopian relations due to contentious issues such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the border dispute in the al-Fashaga region. Moreover, the involvement of regional powers in the Sudanese conflict transforms the internal war into a proxy war, threatening to destabilize the entire East African and Red Sea region.
Expected impact and repercussions of the news
This revelation is expected to provoke a wide-ranging diplomatic response, both from the Sudanese government, which has consistently accused the UAE of supporting the rebellion in international forums, and from the international community, which is pressing for an arms embargo on the warring parties. The continued flow of financial and military support to the parties to the conflict means prolonging the war, exacerbating the suffering of civilians, and hindering any emerging political solution. This necessitates more decisive international action to monitor borders and prevent foreign interference.
