The United Arab Emirates issued a call for a ceasefire in Sudan on Tuesday, coinciding with the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, according to a UAE official. This appeal was dismissed by the Sudanese army, as the civil conflict in the country nears its two-year anniversary.
The army views the UAE as a belligerent in the conflict, accusing it of providing support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), claims that have been deemed credible by U.N. experts and U.S. lawmakers. The UAE has refuted these allegations.
The ongoing war in Sudan has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing over 12 million individuals, leaving half the population facing hunger, and exacerbating the fragmentation of the already impoverished nation.
“As we near the holy month of Ramadan, a time for mercy and compassion, the UAE urges all parties to respect this sacred period with a humanitarian ceasefire,” stated the UAE official.
In response, a senior army official told Reuters, “We do not accept a Ramadan ceasefire until the siege is lifted from all besieged cities and areas.”
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Currently, the RSF is conducting an offensive against al-Fashir, the army’s last stronghold in the Darfur region, while the army is regaining territory in the capital, Khartoum.
The RSF has not provided any comments regarding the situation.
In addition to the ceasefire, the UAE official announced plans for a summit on Friday in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with the African Union, aimed at securing funding for humanitarian efforts in Sudan, with an announcement of $200 million in aid expected.
On Monday, the Sudanese government rejected the summit proposal, labeling it a “crime and aggression against an African nation striving to protect its land and sovereignty,” as stated by Malik Agar, deputy to Burhan on the country’s Sovereign Council.
The UAE official stated, “Regrettably, the Sudanese army has attempted to misrepresent the UAE’s role by distorting the facts. However, these claims will not distract the UAE from its main goal, which is to foster stability.”
