UAE Allegedly Involves Itself in Colombian Mercenaries for Sudan War

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

According to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been implicated in training Colombian mercenaries destined for combat alongside Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group under scrutiny for severe war crimes in the ongoing Sudanese conflict.

The report, published Tuesday, indicates these Colombian fighters were prepared at military installations within the UAE before their deployment to Sudan. HRW suggests this situation underscores increasing evidence that the UAE is extending military backing to the RSF.

The UAE has firmly contested these allegations. In a statement issued to the Associated Press, the Foreign Ministry affirmed that its territory is not utilized for recruiting, training, financing, or transporting foreign fighters to conflict zones, including Sudan.

Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war, sparked by escalating tensions between the Sudanese military and the RSF, leading to violent confrontations in Khartoum and surrounding areas. This conflict has resulted in one of the gravest humanitarian crises globally.

The RSF originated from the Janjaweed militias, notorious for committing atrocities during the early 2000s in Darfur.

HRW's findings suggest that Emirati nationals trained hundreds of Colombian mercenaries at a military base in Al Dhafra and another site in Abu Dhabi. Interviews with Colombian soldiers and former military personnel supported these claims.

One unidentified Colombian mercenary revealed to HRW that he was involved in training RSF recruits near Nyala, South Darfur's capital, during April of last year, noting that many recruits were minors.

Earlier reports from a United Nations expert panel confirmed the presence of Colombian mercenaries in various combat zones in Sudan, such as Khartoum and Kordofan, where they operated drones and participated directly in military actions.

RSF leader General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo acknowledged in February that Colombian forces assisted in operating drones.

HRW further indicated that these fighters were recruited through a private security firm in Abu Dhabi known as Global Security Services Group, which is reportedly connected to Emirati businessman Mohammed Hamdan Al-Zaabi.

The UAE government has denied any illicit activities and stated that any private involvement in supporting armed groups would not reflect state endorsement and could lead to legal ramifications.

HRW also stated it obtained video evidence showing suspected Colombian fighters allied with RSF during attacks in El-Fasher, Darfur, in October. The UN reported that around 6,000 individuals lost their lives within three days during this violence.

The rights organization is calling on the international community, including the EU, to urge the UAE to cease any alleged military support for the RSF by halting collaboration and arms exports.

Meanwhile, the United States has imposed sanctions on individuals and companies purportedly involved in recruiting Colombian fighters for the conflict in Sudan but has yet to take action against the UAE concerning these allegations.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) estimates that at least 59,000 people have died due to this war, although experts speculate that the actual toll could be significantly higher due to complications in data gathering in war zones.

#Global News #World News #UAE News