Behind the news: Tightening the heat on the Emirates
By:Muhammad Wadaa
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will submit a report tomorrow regarding violations in Sudan. The Arab Lawyers Union has made the decision to form a legal team to investigate the crimes committed by the terrorist militia. A team of Sudanese lawyers has submitted requests to the Arab League and the ICC to investigate the UAE’s involvement in supporting the militia. Experts who specialize in monitoring the implementation of Resolution 1591 have submitted their report to the Security Council. The Prosecutor of the ICC, Mr. Karim Khan, is expected to submit an official report to the Security Council tomorrow, Monday, based on the investigations conducted by ICC experts in Sudan. The violations are specific to the Darfur region. Witnesses who provided testimonies to investigators from the ICC state that the investigations began on July 5, 2023, in the city of Adre. This city received thousands of people fleeing the war in West Darfur state. The investigations included various cases, such as the killing of the governor of West Darfur state, Khamis Abkar, as well as incidents of sexual violence, rapes, and mass killings based on ethnic identity. Karim Khan announced on July 13, 2023, that the ICC had opened a new investigation into war crimes in Darfur, western Sudan, after the discovery of 87 bodies buried in a mass grave in the city of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State. Accusations have been made that the Rapid Support Forces are responsible for these crimes. A report by United Nations experts on the implementation of Resolution 1591, issued by the Security Council and monitored by approximately 18 experts specializing in violations, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, is also expected to be submitted.
After April 15, a group of experts diligently compiled a detailed report documenting the monitoring of all crimes and violations committed by the Rapid Support militia. The report also provided evidence of the involvement of the UAE, Chad, and other countries in supplying lethal weapons to the militia, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 15,000 Sudanese lives. In response, the Union of Arab lawyers has formed a committee to investigate the crimes and violations carried out by the rebel militia. This committee consists of a legal team and experts from the union’s membership. Additionally, a team of Sudanese lawyers has submitted a request to the Arab League to investigate the UAE’s interference in Sudan and its supply of weapons to the militia.
Considering the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, the Sudanese government has also requested Prosecutor General Karim Khan to investigate the violations and crimes committed by the militia using Emirati weapons. Four files are currently under discussion to address the aggression of the rebel militia and the crimes it has inflicted upon the Sudanese people with the support of the Emirates. It is evident from the experts’ report that the UAE’s involvement in supplying weapons to the militia constitutes a clear violation of Security Council Resolution No. (1591), which explicitly prohibits the supply of weapons to Darfur. Furthermore, a report will be presented to Congress by the Foreign Relations Committee, urging the Biden administration to address the UAE’s intervention in supporting the perpetrators of these violations. The crimes occurring in Sudan have the potential to impact US-UAE relations.
The UAE appears to be persistent in achieving its goal of influencing Sudan through support for the militia. It continues to provide weapons and financial aid, recruit mercenaries, and offer monetary incentives to heads of state and organizations to align with the militia and aid them in their plot against Sudan. Furthermore, the UAE is determined to utilize its resources and finances to undermine the growing isolation surrounding it. With the impending moment of truth drawing nearer than ever, the UAE will face the consequences of disillusionment and shame. Date: January 28, 2024.