The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has allegedly ceased arms supplies to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following objections from the United States, as confirmed by a White House communication to US senators on Tuesday.
This decision comes after Senator Chris Van Hollen introduced a bill on November 21 to block US arms sales to the UAE unless it could be verified that the RSF was not receiving weapons. Both Senator Van Hollen and Representative Sara Jacobs filed resolutions in the Senate and House of Representatives to enforce this measure.
In a letter addressed to Van Hollen on December 18, Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, disclosed that the UAE assured the US it had ceased transferring weapons to the RSF and would not resume such activities. McGurk pledged to assess the UAE’s compliance and provide an updated report by January 17.
The RSF, engaged in prolonged conflict with Sudan’s army for over 18 months, has faced accusations from Sudanese authorities and UN experts of receiving arms from the UAE. Despite consistent denials, Sudan Tribune has previously reported allegations linking the UAE to RSF armament.
Notably, New York Times Chief Africa Correspondent Declan Walsh referred to McGurk’s letter as potentially signaling the first acknowledgment by the UAE of past RSF support. Walsh shared details of the letter on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
While US laws require congressional approval for major arms deals, blocking such sales involves passing resolutions in both chambers of Congress, often requiring a veto override. This latest development underscores growing scrutiny over the RSF’s sources of armament and international pressure on the UAE’s actions in the region.