Democratic Lawmakers Aim to Block UAE Arms Sales Over RSF Support in Sudan

Democratic lawmakers have threatened to block $1.2 billion in arms sales to the UAE due to reports of its support for the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs urge President Biden to certify that the UAE has stopped aiding the RSF, highlighting the humanitarian crisis arising from the ongoing Sudan conflict.

In a significant move, two Democratic lawmakers from the United States, Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, have expressed their intention to impede arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to claims that the UAE is providing support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan. In a letter addressed to President Joe Biden on December 2, the lawmakers indicated their readiness to push for a disapproval resolution concerning the sale of $1.2 billion in offensive weaponry unless it is certified that the UAE has ceased its support for the RSF. They articulated concern over the UAE’s provision of arms and ammunition to the RSF amidst the civil war, which has escalated into a humanitarian crisis, causing significant internal displacement and prompting millions to flee the country.

The lawmakers stressed that a partnership with the United States should not equate to a blank check, emphasizing that arms sales should be contingent upon the UAE refraining from aiding organizations implicated in humanitarian disasters. Concurrently, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed this issue in discussions with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, signifying the gravity of the matter within the U.S.-UAE diplomatic relations. Despite the UAE’s denial of these allegations, the U.S. administration has privately criticized the Emirati involvement with the RSF and the complicity attributed to the UAE in the ongoing conflict. The dynamics surrounding this arms sale are complicated by the broader political environment, as the Biden administration is concurrently engaged in geopolitical strife in the Middle East.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in what the United Nations has described as the ‘worst’ displacement crisis worldwide, with millions displaced internally and externally. The Rapid Support Forces, a militia alleged to be receiving support from the UAE, has been implicated in severe human rights violations, including ethnic cleansing and sexual violence. Observations from various U.S. officials indicate a discernible disconnect in the American administration’s approach, as criticism of apparent Russian war crimes in Ukraine contrasts with a perceived leniency towards the UAE’s actions in Sudan. This relationship raises questions about the ethical implications surrounding U.S. arms sales to nations allegedly undermining human rights and contributing to humanitarian catastrophes.

In summation, the actions taken by Senator Van Hollen and Congresswoman Jacobs reflect a commitment to reevaluate U.S. arms sales based on the foreign policy ethos concerning human rights violations. Their request for certification regarding the UAE’s military support to the RSF encapsulates broader concerns about the ethical dimensions of weapon sales in light of global humanitarian crises. As the situation in Sudan deteriorates, the call for responsible arms trade will likely prompt further discourse on U.S. foreign policy and its alignment with moral imperatives.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net