Sudan Conflict, RSF Atrocities, and Alleged UAE Involvement

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) warned that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are committing large-scale atrocities in Sudan, citing United Nations estimates of up to 150,000 deaths since 2023, 14 million displaced persons and 30 million in need of humanitarian aid. Sanders asserted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is financing the RSF and called for an end to U.S. military support to the militia.

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The RSF has encircled the half-million-person city of El Obeid, employing drone strikes that have killed dozens of civilians and damaged water facilities, markets and hospitals. The United Nations Security Council recently warned of an “imminent risk of mass atrocities” and demanded a halt to the assault. Human-rights chief Volker Türk linked the siege tactics to the RSF’s October attack on El-Fasher, which killed at least 6,000 people and displayed “hallmarks of genocide,” including ethnically targeted killings and sexual violence.

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Sanders issued a statement urging Congress to demand that the UAE cease military support for the RSF and to increase humanitarian aid. In the Senate, Democrats led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) have pushed for restrictions on U.S. weapons shipments to the UAE. The GOP-controlled Senate Foreign Relations Committee rejected an amendment prohibiting arms sales to the UAE but passed a weaker bill allowing the president to impose optional sanctions on individuals supplying weapons to Sudan’s armed factions; the bill now awaits a full Senate vote.

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The UAE has denied involvement in Sudan’s conflict. Commentators such as Nicholas Kristof have argued that officials avoid openly acknowledging the UAE’s role, while the financial links between the UAE and former President Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency venture are presented as part of the broader critique.

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• “In the midst of the wars in Gaza and Iran, we cannot forget the atrocities in Sudan,” — Bernie Sanders, Senator (I-VT)

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• “All of this is fueled by the UAE—one of Trump's closest allies,” — Bernie Sanders

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• “officials won’t say openly... that the power behind the RSF is the United Arab Emirates.” — Nicholas Kristof

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• “Trump’s good friend and staunch US ally, the United Arab Emirates dictatorship, run by one of the wealthiest families in the world—has financed and enabled this genocide for years,” — Bernie Sanders

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• “And why is this happening? Billions of dollars of looted gold from Sudan is flowing straight into the pockets of Emirati oligarchs—making a multibillionaire family even richer.” — Bernie Sanders

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