U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the importance of securing a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan during a call on Friday with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.
This came shortly after Washington's top diplomat called for action to halt the flow of weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has resulted in what the United Nations has described as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, occurring at a time when global aid budgets are shrinking.
As of mid-October, around 12.5 million Sudanese had been displaced both within the country and abroad, with an additional 140,000 fleeing RSF attacks on al-Fashir and towns in the Kordofan region.
UAE rejects claims it supports RSF
Sudan’s army has accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the RSF with weapons, a claim that United Nations experts and U.S. lawmakers have found credible.
However, the UAE's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Jamal Al Musharakh, rejected these allegations on Thursday (13 November), stating that the UAE does not provide support to either of the warring parties.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Rubio stated that the U.S. was doing everything possible to end the conflict and apply pressure on the parties involved.
"Action must be taken to cut off the weapons and support the RSF continues to receive as they advance," Rubio said.
When asked about the UAE's role in the conflict, Rubio refrained from naming the country directly.
"We know who the parties are involved... that’s why they’re part of the Quad, along with other countries. At the highest levels of our government, the case is being made and pressure is being applied to the relevant parties."
"This needs to stop," he added.
He did not rule out designating the RSF as a terrorist organisation, stating that the U.S. would consider such a move if it would help bring an end to the fighting.
The RSF’s capture of al-Fashir on 26 October solidified its control over the Darfur region in the ongoing civil war with the Sudanese army.
Tens of thousands of people who fled al-Fashir remain unaccounted for, according to the UN refugee agency, (UNHCR) raising serious concerns for their safety amid reports of rape, killings, and other abuses from those who escaped.
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on the compound of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei on Saturday t...
The U.S.-Iran crisis has entered its third day, with further strikes reported across the Middle East and the death toll rising. Oil prices have sur...
Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday (2 March), af...
Türkiye and Iran have suspended day-trip passenger crossings at their shared border, Türkiye's trade minister said Monday, as a ...
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following recent mil...
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on the compound of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei on Saturday that killed him, other family members and senior figures. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. targets in the region.
The U.S.-Iran crisis has entered its third day, with further strikes reported across the Middle East and the death toll rising. Oil prices have surged to levels last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, raising fears of economic disruption and higher prices worldwide.
Türkiye and Iran have suspended day-trip passenger crossings at their shared border, Türkiye's trade minister said Monday, as a U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran entered its third day.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Saudi Aramco closed its Ras Tanura refinery on Monday following an Iranian drone strike, an industry source told Reuters as Tehran retaliated across the Gulf after a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian targets over the weekend.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
The Middle East crisis intensifies after the deadly attack on the compound of the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei on Saturday that killed him, other family members and senior figures. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. targets in the region.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has moved into a pivotal constitutional role following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, becoming the clerical member of Iran’s temporary leadership council under Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The U.S.-Iran crisis has entered its third day, with further strikes reported across the Middle East and the death toll rising. Oil prices have surged to levels last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, raising fears of economic disruption and higher prices worldwide.
The UK said it's allowing the U.S. to use its bases for defensive strikes against Iran amid escalating missile attacks, after a suspected drone strike hit a British airbase in southern Cyprus, causing limited damage.
The Kremlin is utilising the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran to validate its ongoing war in Ukraine. Russian officials are pointing to the escalation in the Middle East as evidence that Western nations do not adhere to international rules.
European Union stands with its member states in the face of any threat, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in response to the drone strike that hit Britain's Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in southern Cyprus overnight.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 27th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment