General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s army chief, criticized the UAE for allegedly supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during a speech at the UN General Assembly. The Sudanese army is conducting a major offensive in Khartoum against the RSF amid escalating military conflicts. Burhan attributed the prolonged war to foreign meddling, while downplaying humanitarian crises in Sudan.
In a recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, criticized unnamed “regional and political players,” hinting specifically at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its alleged support of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This occurred as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) commenced a significant offensive to gain control of the capital, Khartoum, which has been embroiled in conflict with the RSF since last April. General Burhan asserted that the RSF receives both political and logistical backing from certain states aiming to exploit Sudan’s resources through force and financial means. He indicated that the ongoing war could have concluded if not for this external support. Burhan highlighted a previous conversation with the UAE’s ruler, Mohammed bin Zayed, in which the latter promised to reconsider the situation regarding his country’s involvement. The Sudanese army has previously presented evidence to the UN regarding the UAE’s alleged military backing of the RSF, which is led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemeti. In response to Burhan’s claims, the UAE has consistently denied providing any support to the paramilitary group. Meanwhile, the Sudanese army is reportedly seeking assistance from both Russia and Iran to combat the RSF. In a significant escalation of military operations, the Sudanese army launched a full-scale offensive targeting RSF positions in Khartoum, reportedly capturing two crucial bridges. Eyewitness reports claim that fighting remains intense as the army continues to progress within the city and has commenced airstrikes on strategic locations, such as the al-Jili oil refinery. The RSF, however, contests that they have not lost the bridges and have sustained casualties in the army’s attacks. The ongoing siege of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur by the RSF, has left over a million civilians stranded amid looming famine conditions. Burhan, however, downplayed the humanitarian crisis, suggesting that the food issues faced in Sudan had not escalated to famine levels. Additionally, he condemned the RSF for acts of violence, including ethnic cleansing and rape, asserting that the group should be classified as a terrorist organization due to their grave abuses.
The tensions between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been escalating since April of the previous year when hostilities broke out. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has taken a firm public stance against external interventions that support the RSF. His recent remarks at the UN General Assembly aimed to shine a light on what he considers foreign meddling in Sudan’s affairs, particularly from the UAE, which has been accused of backing the RSF militarily and financially. The conflict has contributed to a broader humanitarian disaster, with millions displaced and significant civilian suffering reported.
In summary, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s address at the UN highlighted the Sudanese army’s ongoing conflict with the RSF, pointing to external support, particularly from the UAE, as a critical factor prolonging the war. With military operations intensifying in Khartoum and severe humanitarian crises erupting across the nation, the complexities of foreign involvement in Sudan’s internal struggles appear increasingly pronounced. The implications of these foreign relations continue to shape the landscape of Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
