VIDEO: UAE urges Sudan factions to end civilian attacks, enable aid access

The United Arab Emirates has condemned the reprehensible attacks against civilians in the Sudanese city of El Fasher, describing them as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.” It called on the Rapid Support Forces to “ensure the protection of civilians and the safety and security of humanitarian operations,” and reaffirmed its support for international calls urging both sides in the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and cease all targeting of civilians.

Ambassador Mohammed Abushahab, the UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council on Thursday that the warring parties in Sudan must comply with international humanitarian law and provide humanitarian corridors to facilitate relief operations. He called on the international community to ensure that all those responsible for atrocities are held accountable.

Abushahab noted that “the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have excluded themselves from shaping the country's future, and this fact must be accepted.” He emphasized that humanitarian suffering in Sudan is deepening daily, adding, “For over 900 days, the war in Sudan has engulfed a nation, and the humanitarian suffering deepens every day. The situation in El Fasher worsens by the day.” He stressed that women, children, and the elderly are bearing the brunt of the conflict.

With famine spreading across Sudan, Abushahab said it is now more crucial than ever to ensure that aid reaches those in need throughout the country and that the United Nations is able to carry out its work effectively. He pointed to the suffering of millions of Sudanese people as evidence of the devastation caused by the conflict, saying it underscores the urgent need for a genuine transitional process leading to a truly national government—one free from the control of either warring side. He emphasized that this process must result in a secure Sudan for all its citizens, free from extremism, terrorism, and ethnic violence.

In his statement, Abushahab called on the Security Council to exert pressure on both parties and use all available means to compel them to negotiate.

Abushahab also expressed the UAE's appreciation for the United States’ leadership of the Quartet meetings, which remain a crucial and influential platform for ending the conflict in Sudan. He noted that the Quartet—which includes the United States, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—has called for a humanitarian truce in Sudan and stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire.

He further emphasized that the humanitarian situation must not be allowed to deteriorate further and that the ongoing atrocities cannot be ignored. Abushahab concluded by stating that recent developments have revealed an undeniable truth: the path to peace cannot be forged on the battlefield. He reaffirmed that the UAE will continue to support regional and international efforts to achieve a ceasefire and establish the peace and stability desired by the Sudanese people.