Sudan's representative in Geneva criticizes his Emirati counterpart and objects to the proposal to expand the arms embargo.

Geneva, February 9, 2026 – Sudan’s Permanent Representative to Geneva, Hassan Hamid, on Monday sharply criticized a senior UN official after the latter called for expanding the arms embargo to cover all of Sudan. Hamid demanded accountability from the United Arab Emirates, which he accused of destroying the country’s infrastructure, citing its negative role in supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In response, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during a briefing to the Human Rights Council, called for a comprehensive arms embargo covering all of Sudan, rather than just Darfur, as part of efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Hassan Hamid responded vehemently, stating that the priority should not be to add to Sudan’s burdens, but rather to demand that the Security Council live up to its responsibilities and hold the UAE accountable for violating Resolution 1591 through its continued support for the RSF. He also urged the Council to reject the demands of what he described as parties hostile to Sudan seeking to expand the scope of the embargo. It is worth noting that the sanctions imposed on Sudan date back to 2005 under UN Security Council Resolution 1591, which prohibits the sale and export of weapons to parties involved in the Darfur conflict, in addition to imposing individual sanctions including asset freezes and travel bans. Sudan accuses the UAE of providing advanced weapons and military equipment to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) through smuggling routes that include eastern Libya and some African countries, as well as Nyala Airport in South Darfur. However, the UAE denies these repeated accusations. For his part, Hassan Hamid highlighted the crimes committed by the RSF, including attacks in El Fasher, the bombing of World Food Programme (WFP) aid convoys in North Kordofan, and the targeting of displaced persons, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. In his address during the session, the Sudanese representative directly criticized his Emirati counterpart after the latter spoke about his country's support for humanitarian aid to Sudan. He said: "What kind of donation are you talking about? How can the shame be erased simply by announcing financial pledges when you are accused of supporting a militia with such a dark record?" He added: “Do you think this money can wash your hands of the blood of the Sudanese people? We reject your money; the Sudanese are far too honorable and dignified to accept aid from those who contribute to their killing and the destruction of their country.” Hamed continued his criticism: “How can you condemn the brutal attack on World Food Programme convoys while you provide the strategic drones used to bomb these convoys and damage Sudan’s infrastructure?” It is worth noting that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are facing accusations of carrying out attacks on an aid convoy near El Obeid last Friday while it was delivering assistance to displaced people. They also launched another attack targeting a vehicle carrying displaced people, but the RSF denied responsibility for these attacks in an official statement issued later.