US Weapons Sales to UAE Amidst Support for RSF: A Congressional Hearing

Allegations of UAE Violating UN Arms Embargo

• ❓ The UAE is accused of violating the UN arms embargo by providing weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.
• diplomats acknowledge awareness of the UAE's actions, yet a lack of decisive action is noted.
• 🚫 Access to Sudan for humanitarian aid and investigations is severely restricted, hindering efforts to document arms flow.

Cutting Off Resources for Atrocities

• 💡 To stop mass atrocities and genocide, it is crucial to cut off the resources fueling these actions, including money, arms, and personnel.
• 👏 Sanctions on Colombian companies supplying mercenaries are seen as a positive start, but comprehensive resource cutoff is necessary.

US Leverage and Arms Sales to UAE

• 🇺🇸 The US has a defense pact with the UAE and should use this relationship to pressure them to stop arming the RSF.
• ⚠️ While US weapons haven't been found in Darfur, there's concern that UAE arms sales allow them to displace older stocks, potentially sending US-origin weapons to the conflict.
• 🔍 The appropriateness of US weapons sales to the UAE while they support the RSF requires careful examination to ensure no US weapons harm civilians in Sudan.

Importance of International Criminal Court (ICC)

• ⚖️ Institutions like the ICC are vital for bringing justice to victims of mass atrocities, with the ICC currently having 11 active cases on Sudan.
• 🌍 There are no viable alternatives to the ICC for prosecuting grave crimes in Sudan, as Sudanese courts are not functioning and the African Union lacks the capacity.
• 🚫 Sanctions on ICC prosecutors, even with specific licenses, create a chilling effect on international cooperation and investigations into atrocities in various global conflict zones.
• 📈 Two decades of impunity in Sudan have led to further mass atrocities, highlighting the urgent need for accountability.