Sudan accuses Britain of interfering in its affairs

Sudan – Khartoum accused Britain of interfering in its affairs by “changing the formula and nature” of the closed consultation session held by the UN Security Council on Sudan, yesterday.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Britain intervened in the country’s affairs “to change the formula and nature” of a consultation session in the Security Council “to become a meeting about the situation in Sudan in general and the El Fasher region (western Sudan) in particular.”

The statement explained that the Security Council session was dedicated to discussing “Sudan’s complaint against the UAE” alleging its “multifaceted sponsorship” of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

He added: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets that Britain has renounced its moral and political duty as a permanent member of the Security Council and its obligation to address Sudan’s issues in the Council, and by virtue of its colonial past in Sudan, the bad effects of which are still continuing, in exchange for its commercial interests with the UAE.”

The statement accused the British government of “conducting secret meetings with the Rapid Support militia, which fulfilled all the characteristics of terrorist groups,” explaining that this “makes it a partner in responsibility for the atrocities committed by the terrorist militia and its sponsor, and a supporter of impunity.”

Regarding the aforementioned Security Council session, the statement stated that “the closed consultation session was held on the morning of last April 29, during which the members demanded that the (Rapid Support) militia stop its hostile actions around El Fasher and pledge not to attack any city.”

He added that the Council members “called on the regional parties to adhere to the arms embargo on Darfur in accordance with Resolution 1591 (2005).”

They also “called for the resumption of the Jeddah negotiations (between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces), the need to facilitate the unhindered access of humanitarian aid, and respect for international humanitarian law. However, the meeting did not come up with decisions and was content with the statement issued on April 27,” according to the same source.

On Saturday, Sudan’s representative to the United Nations, Al-Harith Idris, called on the Security Council to hold a session to discuss what he called “the UAE’s ignition of war” in his country by supporting the “Rapid Support” forces, and announced Khartoum’s rejection of Abu Dhabi’s participation in any settlement of the Sudanese crisis.

According to a letter sent by the Permanent Representative of the Emirates to the United Nations, Mohammed Abu Shehab, on Sunday, to the rotating President of the Security Council for the month of April, Vanessa Fraser, “The UAE rejects the allegations made by the Permanent Representative of Sudan, which are baseless and contradict the established fraternal relations between… “Our two countries.”

The letter stated, “The UAE remains committed to supporting a peaceful solution to the conflict in Sudan, and continuing to work with all concerned.”

Since mid-April 2023, the Sudanese army and the paramilitary “Rapid Support” forces have been waging a war that has left about 13,900 people dead and about 8.5 million displaced and refugees, according to the United Nations.

Anatolia