Editorial: The International Community Must Call A Spade A Spade

The rebel RSF carried out a large-scale massacre in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, which lasted for 72 hours One hour of continuous violence. According to reports, more than 2,000 civilians were brutally killed, and horrific videos circulating on social media show bodies lying on the ground as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters hunt down civilians and kill those who remain alive.

Meanwhile, a report by The Wall Street Journal revealed that the US intelligence community confirms the UAE intensified its military support for the Rapid Support Forces last year. According to the report, the UAE provided a wide range of weapons, including attack drones, light weapons, heavy machine guns, and other military equipment, helping the rebels regain strength after losing control of the capital, Khartoum.

These events represent a dangerous escalation in the Sudanese civil war, which has killed more than 150,000 people and displaced some 12 million across the country. The USA accused the RSF of war crimes, including genocide and rape, while ignoring the UAE’s prominent role in funding these forces.

The whole world saw the horrific videos and other images showing serious violations of international humanitarian law and grave human rights violations.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that Rapid Support Forces personnel singled out women and girls and raped them at gunpoint, forcing the remaining displaced people – approximately 100 families – to flee the site amidst gunfire and intimidation of elderly residents.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, reiterates his call on states with influence over the parties to the conflict to take urgent action to end the violence, stop the flow of weapons that fuels the

ongoing violations, and ensure the effective protection of civilians.

All the above tragedy is a result of the UAE’s providing the RSF militia with weapons, so it is high time for the International Community to call a spade a spade and take an urgent action to stop the UAE’s providing the RSF militia with weapons and to classify the RSF militia as a terror organization.