Sudan Declares UAE Enemy State After Court Ruling
1min read On May 6, local time, Sudan took the significant step of declaring the United Arab Emirates (UAE) an enemy state, effectively severing all diplomatic ties and closing its embassy in Abu Dhabi. This dramatic move follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on March 6, which determined that it lacked jurisdiction to hear Sudan's lawsuit against the UAE. The lawsuit accused the UAE of conspiring in the genocide in Darfur, a region that has been plagued by conflict and humanitarian crises.
The court's decision, with a vote of 14 to 2, stated that it could not formally hear the case brought by Sudan under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Furthermore, with a vote of 9 to 7, the court removed the case from its docket. The ruling explicitly stated that since the court had determined it lacked jurisdiction, it could not make any decisions on the merits of Sudan's claims. This ruling underscores the complexities and limitations of international legal frameworks in addressing such grave allegations.
Sudan's accusations against the UAE include supporting the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group, alleging that this support constituted complicity in the genocide against non-Arab Masalit people in West Darfur. The conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese government has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced over 12.7 million people, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that has been ongoing since April 2023. Despite the court's lack of jurisdiction, it emphasized that all signatory countries must strictly adhere to their obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
This decision by Sudan to sever ties with the UAE is a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two nations. The move highlights the deep-seated issues and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. The closure of the embassy in Abu Dhabi is a clear indication of Sudan's resolve to distance itself from the UAE, marking a new chapter in their diplomatic relations. The international community will be closely watching the developments, as the situation in Darfur and the broader region remains volatile and in need of urgent attention.
