Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the President of the UAE, denied that the country provided any military support to the warring parties in Sudan.
Speaking to CNN, he said: “I think the UAE has been consistent in its position on weapons. We have not transferred any weapons to the warring parties in Sudan since the beginning of the civil war.”
But the Emirati official also spoke of “about 162 flights from the Emirates to transport humanitarian aid to Sudan”.
He said: “Now every flight tracker believes that any plane leaving the Emirates carries suspicious items, but how do you explain these 162 flights that were carrying humanitarian support?”.
He also expressed the desire to “see Sudan united, to contribute to the stability of the region, and this means that there should be no influence of the Muslim Brotherhood or other extremist groups.”
Emirati humanitarian support for Sudan
Gargash described the UAE’s position on the Sudan war as “very clear”.
“I mean an unconditional ceasefire,” he added. A humanitarian truce leading to a permanent ceasefire. This should be unconditional. It must happen now”.
He pointed out: “We have a four-way statement that sets out the future path that will take us from this situation we are living in in Sudan, to a humanitarian ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and a civilian transitional government.”
He continued: “I believe that large-scale humanitarian support for Sudan is essential”. Today, we (the UAE) are the second largest contributor of humanitarian aid to Sudan after the United States, and we want to increase this support.”
Gargash said: “I think we have also made clear that there are two warring parties, so it is natural for one of the parties to take a position against what the UAE is calling for, which is the transition to civilian rule”.
Gargash also stressed that “the UAE’s interests in Sudan are not economic”.
He explained: “I mean, all Sudanese gold, for example, which is used as part of the attack on the UAE, represents only 1 percent of gold imports in the UAE”.
Gargash concluded his speech by saying: “I am not worried about the UAE and its relationship with the Sudanese people. It was and still is an excellent relationship built on a long history of constructive cooperation. As for the few activists who criticize the UAE, we cannot win them over, and I do not think I am worried about that.”
