War Profiteering: The UAE's "Humanitarian Aid" to Sudan?
So, the Sudanese ambassador is calling out the UAE for arming the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Darfur. Color me shocked. Except, I'm not. This is the same UAE that's been playing both sides in conflicts across the region for years. They claim to be all about stability and peace, but their actions scream something else entirely.
"Non-Regional Actors"? More Like "Usual Suspects"
Eltom says Sudan isn't in a civil war, but facing "conspiracies of non-regional actors." Right. Let's translate that from Diplomatic-Speak to English: "The UAE is fueling the flames, and we're trying to be polite about it." He says stopping the UAE's weapon supply is the "first step" to ending the war. No kidding. It's like trying to put out a fire while someone keeps pouring gasoline on it. According to the Sudanese Ambassador to India, Eltom, the UAE is actively supplying weapons to the RSF, exacerbating the conflict. UAE supplying weapons to Rapid Support Forces: Sudanese Ambassador to India Eltom.
And get this: the RSF is using "strategic drones" capable of long-duration flights. You don't just pick those up at your local hobby shop. That's state-sponsored support, plain and simple. He wants the international community to designate the RSF as a terrorist organization and sanction the weapon suppliers. Sounds reasonable... but will it actually happen? Probably not. Too many vested interests, too much money at stake.
He even name-drops Tom Fletcher, UN Under Secretary General, talking about "mass executions and starvation" in El Fashir. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to throw your hands up and say, "What's the damn point?"
India's "Help" and a Captured Citizen
The ambassador is all thankful for India's "humanitarian assistance" and keeping their embassy open. Okay, that's nice. But let's be real, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of the disaster. And what about that Indian national captured by the RSF? "Communication blackout," so they "don't know much about him." Great. Another innocent caught in the crossfire of someone else's power play. He says, "India can make a difference as it is a powerful actor." Is that true? Or just wishful thinking?
Oh, and I saw another article about the Philippines and UAE applying to join the CPTPP to counter Trump tariffs. What does that have to do with Sudan? Absolutely nothing. Just a reminder that while people are suffering, politicians are playing trade games. Philippines and UAE apply to join CPTPP to counter Trump tariffs.
The Big Question: Who Actually Cares?
Eltom assures everyone that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) control 80% of the territory. But if they're in control, why are they losing ground to a militia armed by a foreign power? And why are civilians being slaughtered? It's a mess, a complete and utter mess.
So, the UAE is arming the RSF, civilians are dying, and the world is wringing its hands. Where have I seen this movie before? Oh yeah, everywhere. It's the same old story: powerful countries playing games with other people's lives, all while pretending to be the good guys. The only difference is the names and the locations. The game remains sickeningly familiar.
Another Day, Another Disaster
Seriously, what's the point of even writing about this? It's not like anything's going to change. The UAE will keep arming the RSF, the RSF will keep killing civilians, and the international community will keep issuing strongly worded statements. And I'll keep writing about it, because what else am I supposed to do? Maybe I'm the crazy one here, expecting something different.
