**Sudan Calls for UN Action Against Foreign Supporters of Rapid Support Forces**
Sudan has urged the United Nations to take decisive action against foreign entities that are allegedly providing support to the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is currently engaged in conflict with the Sudanese government. This appeal was made by Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim during a speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday.
Ibrahim expressed concern that external backing for the RSF is prolonging the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions, devastating the nation and complicating efforts for peace.
During his address, Ibrahim criticized the UN Security Council for its failure to identify and condemn the sponsors of the RSF, asserting that pressure should be applied to regional sponsors and certain neighboring states. He accused these countries of facilitating the transfer of weapons and supplies to the RSF, which has enabled the group to launch attacks from outside Sudan's borders. Furthermore, he alleged that hospitals in neighboring countries have been established to treat wounded RSF fighters.
The Sudanese government has previously accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of providing military support to the RSF, a claim that the UAE has consistently denied. Additionally, Sudan has pointed fingers at Ethiopia, alleging that its territory has been used for drone attacks against Sudanese forces, a claim that Addis Ababa has also rejected.
These accusations come in the wake of a recent UN fact-finding mission that reportedly found reasonable grounds to believe that a transnational network has been supplying the RSF with weapons, logistics, training, and foreign personnel. Investigators have identified private entities and intermediaries operating from countries including the UAE, with transit routes through Chad, southeastern Libya, and Somalia.
In his remarks, Ibrahim emphasized the need for the disarmament of the RSF and for its weapons to be placed under the control of state institutions. He also called for an end to attacks on civilians and infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for peace in Sudan.
The RSF was originally established by the Sudanese government under former President Omar al-Bashir in 2013, drawing heavily from the Janjaweed militias that had previously been used to combat rebels in Darfur. Its status was later formalized by law, but tensions with the regular army eventually escalated into open warfare.
The ongoing conflict has seen regional and international peace efforts falter, including mediation attempts by the African Union and talks facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah. Sudanese officials have alleged that foreign mercenaries, including individuals from Colombia and Ukraine, are supporting the RSF in its fight against the SAF. They have also expressed concerns regarding the European Union's understanding of the complex situation in Sudan.
In recent months, tensions between Sudan and its neighbors have intensified, with Khartoum accusing Kenya of backing the RSF and subsequently severing ties with the East African regional grouping IGAD due to mistrust in regional mediation efforts. In July, a political coalition aligned with the RSF announced the formation of a rival government, naming RSF leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as 'Hemedti', as the chairman of a newly established presidential council. This move has been rejected by both the UN and the African Union.
As diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict continue, high-level discussions have taken place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his Sudanese counterpart last week to discuss potential solutions to the crisis. Meanwhile, both the African Union and the United States have called for an immediate humanitarian truce, followed by a durable ceasefire and a Sudanese-led political process.
The United States has indicated that it does not recognize either the SAF or the RSF as legitimate representatives of constitutional governance in Sudan. In response, the Sudanese government has rejected the US position, insisting on the need for respect for Sudan's sovereignty and national institutions, while warning against legitimizing the RSF through force.
As the situation in Sudan remains precarious, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, with calls for a comprehensive resolution to the ongoing conflict becoming increasingly urgent.