UAE's Lobbying Efforts Influence European Parliament Resolution on Sudan Conflict

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has engaged in extensive lobbying efforts to prevent its involvement in the ongoing conflict in Sudan from being mentioned in a European Parliament resolution aimed at addressing the violence. This lobbying campaign culminated in a resolution that, while condemning the atrocities committed by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), notably omitted any reference to the UAE's alleged support for these forces.

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The RSF has been implicated in severe human rights violations, including mass killings, ethnic cleansing, and torture, particularly during its siege of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Reports indicate that the RSF has received advanced weaponry from the UAE, raising concerns about the Emirati government's complicity in these actions. In April 2025, the Sudanese government accused the UAE of complicity in genocide, a claim that was brought before the International Court of Justice.

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The Emirati delegation to the European Parliament was led by Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's envoy. Nusseibeh met with various Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), including Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, to advocate for the UAE's interests. Despite the lobbying efforts, some MEPs from left-wing parties sought to amend the resolution to include references to the UAE's role in the conflict, but these amendments were ultimately rejected.

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Following the resolution's passage, Nusseibeh issued a statement expressing the UAE's commitment to supporting efforts to resolve the civil war in Sudan. The resolution itself condemned the RSF's actions but did not specify the external enablers of these atrocities, which critics argue includes the UAE. General Yasser al-Atta of the Sudanese Armed Forces remarked on the perceived silence of the international community regarding the RSF's actions, attributing this silence to the financial influence of the UAE.

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Critics of the UAE's lobbying efforts, particularly from left-wing MEPs, have called for greater accountability regarding the UAE's role in the Sudan conflict. They argue that the omission of the UAE from the resolution undermines efforts to address the serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by the RSF. The rejection of proposed amendments to include the UAE's involvement has raised concerns about the influence of conservative groups, such as the European People's Party and the European Conservatives and Reformists, in shaping the resolution's final text.

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While the resolution condemned the RSF's actions and called for sanctions against financiers and external enablers, it did not name specific entities, leading to criticism that the resolution lacks the necessary accountability measures. The absence of direct references to the UAE's involvement in the conflict has sparked debate over the effectiveness of international responses to the crisis in Sudan.

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• “world has been silent regarding all the RSF has done in Sudan” — General Yasser al-Atta, Sudanese Armed Forces

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• “unwavering commitment to support all endeavours to address this catastrophic civil war” — Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Envoy

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This situation highlights the complex interplay between international diplomacy, human rights accountability, and the influence of lobbying in shaping legislative outcomes.

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