Source: European Parliament
Since the start of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023, the European External Action Service has been discussing the situation in this country during its political dialogues and exchanges with the Emirati authorities at various levels.
The EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, has also been engaging with the Emirati and other regional stakeholders. In this context, the EU representatives have raised concerns about reported United Arab Emirates (UAE) support to the rapid support forces, while emphasising the importance of the UAE’s constructive engagement for reaching a sustainable cease-fire in Sudan.
The negotiated outcome documents of two high-level meetings on Sudan co-organised by the EU, Germany and France in New York[1] and Paris[2] — attended by UAE — urge foreign actors to cease support to the warring sides.
Situation in Sudan has also been discussed in the meetings with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including the first EU-GCC Summit in Brussels on 16 October 2024, where the EU and GCC leaders (UAE represented at the level of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance) underscored the importance of stopping the war and eventually returning to a political process leading to civilian rule in Sudan, and urged the Sudanese armed forces and the rapid support forces to engage seriously and effectively with crisis resolution initiatives, including the Jeddah platform.
The Commission will continue to follow closely the conflict in Sudan and engage with the key regional stakeholders, including the UAE, in the regional efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace and justice in Sudan. In the meantime, the EU has already adopted three listings of restrictive measures[3], including against entities that are based in the UAE, and stand ready to consider additional sanctions against those who are fuelling the war.