UK’s Invitation to UAE for Sudan Conference Sparks Outrage from Sudanese Officials

The UK has invited the UAE to a London conference on Sudan’s war while excluding the Sudanese army-aligned government and the RSF. This decision prompted anger from Sudanese officials, who criticized the invitation to a nation accused of supporting the RSF. The conference aims to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, but concerns arise regarding the effectiveness of excluding significant parties from discussions.

The United Kingdom has provoked a significant backlash from the Sudanese army government by inviting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to an upcoming conference in London regarding Sudan’s ongoing conflict. Notably, both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its adversary, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have not received invitations to the conference scheduled for April 15, 2023. The Sudanese foreign ministry expressed its discontent, labeling the invitation to the UAE, a nation it accuses of supporting the RSF with arms, as hypocritical.

The concept paper for the London conference indicates that it will involve participants from states and international organizations focused on promoting peace in Sudan. This policy stance has been met with accusations from the Sudanese army-aligned government that the UAE’s inclusion is merely a public relations exercise intended to improve its tarnished reputation amid international scrutiny regarding its actions in Sudan.

Other nations invited include Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, all known to favor the Sudanese army in the conflict. The presence of UAE officials, which has been connected to the provision of weapons to the RSF, raises concerns that the conference could lack genuine diplomatic intent. Sudan’s recent filing of a complaint against the UAE at the International Court of Justice underscores tensions surrounding the UAE’s alleged role in the humanitarian crisis.

UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash criticized Sudanese leadership for their handling of the conflict, encouraging a ceasefire and the addressing of humanitarian needs instead of engaging in what he termed as media maneuvers. This situation is compounded by the US government’s stance, which has classified the RSF’s actions in Sudan as genocidal, particularly against the Black African Masalit group.

The inclusion of the UAE and the exclusion of the SAF and RSF from the London conference has been viewed as a misstep in understanding the broader implications of the ongoing conflict. Experts argue that it is critical for all primary actors to be involved in discussions and that the exclusion of significant parties could undermine any prospective diplomatic progress. The British government’s recent engagements with port Sudan officials had led to some diplomatic optimism, but that sentiment has now been deflated by the apparent disconnect over the conference’s participant list.

Analysts suggest that while the UAE’s role is indispensable, the current trajectory might render the conference more performative than productive unless a more inclusive approach is adopted. The upcoming event is thus perceived as a pivotal moment that might determine the effectiveness of future diplomatic reconciliations in the region.

The UK’s decision to invite the UAE to a conference on Sudan while excluding the Sudanese army-aligned government has sparked outrage and raised questions about the effectiveness of the upcoming talks. The inclusion of a party alleged to be involved in conflict complicates peace efforts and may detract from a genuine diplomatic resolution. This situation underscores the necessity for inclusive dialogues that recognize the complexity of the conflict and the roles of all involved stakeholders.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net