Human Rights Watch Urges Germany to Confront UAE President Over Sudan Conflict

Call for Diplomatic Action

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has formally requested that German government leaders utilize the upcoming visit of United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The organization is urging Berlin to press the UAE leadership regarding persistent allegations that the Gulf nation has provided military support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Allegations of Military Support

The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, has resulted in widespread displacement and violence. Human Rights Watch and various United Nations experts have previously highlighted reports suggesting that the UAE has funneled weapons and supplies to the RSF through neighboring countries. The UAE has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that its involvement in Sudan is focused on humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

Human Rights Concerns

In its appeal to German officials, HRW emphasized the severity of the situation on the ground, citing reports of:

• Systematic human rights abuses committed by the RSF
• The obstruction of humanitarian aid delivery
• The use of prohibited weaponry in civilian areas

The organization argues that Germany, as a key diplomatic partner to the UAE, holds a responsibility to ensure that its bilateral engagements address international law violations and the destabilizing effects of the conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Diplomatic Context

The visit of the UAE President to Germany is viewed as a significant opportunity for high-level dialogue. While the agenda for such meetings typically covers energy, trade, and regional security, human rights advocates are pushing for the inclusion of accountability measures regarding the Sudan conflict. As of now, German officials have not issued a specific public response to the HRW request, though the pressure highlights the growing international scrutiny regarding the role of external actors in the Sudanese civil war.