Sudan crisis: Human Rights Watch demand action on UAE involvement

The Human Rights Watch is concerned by the constant mention of the United Arab Emirates in the Sudan crisis, calling on the international community to act on the allegations.

HRW said the latest European Parliament Resolution “should spark action” as it addresses the armed conflict in Sudan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks in El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan.

In a statement on Friday, the rights group drew attention to the suffering of civilians in El Obeid, including recurring attacks on infrastructure like water, fuel, and the electricity stations.

According to Human Rights Watch, fifteen drone strikes killed at least 45 civilians in El Obeid and the surrounding area over three weeks in June.

The organization insists the new EU resolution is significant “because it explicitly names the UAE as participating in and fueling the war in Sudan and calls for actions to end this support.”

HRW noted that since the conflict broke out in 2023, diplomats and policymakers have opposed naming the UAE, keeping the EU Parliament from condemning the UAE’s alleged support for the RSF.

“The United Nations Human Rights Council, which had previously denounced external support sustaining the conflict, did so again without naming the UAE,” the statement reads.

An HRW research showed that Colombian private military contractors, allegedly hired by a UAE-based company, transited through UAE military bases before being deployed to Sudan to support the RSF.

“We also found that Colombian fighters were present when the RSF captured El Fasher in 2025,” the body added, citing evidence of the UAE “assisting the RSF’s capacity to commit war crimes.”

The U.S.-based watchdog further accused the UAE of providing the EU-designated RSF with weapons and ammunition, some made in Europe, in violation of the UN arms embargo on Darfur.

Human Rights Watch urged the EU to impose sanctions against culpable entities, including an Abu Dhabi-based company and its CEO, for hiring the Colombian fighters aiding RSF’s abuses in Sudan.

HRW also demands the suspension of the EU’s military and defense cooperation with the UAE, saying “any further cooperation” should be contingent on the UAE government ending its ties with the RSF.