Reuters: Documents reveal UAE funding of Rapid Support Forces camp in Ethiopia
Reuters, citing an internal memo it reviewed, revealed information indicating that the UAE is funding a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) camp inside Ethiopian territory. This breaking news adds a new dimension to reports circulating about foreign interference in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, highlighting the complexities of the regional landscape in the Horn of Africa.
Background of the conflict in Sudan
To understand the implications of this news, it is necessary to consider the broader context of the war that erupted in mid-April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). This conflict has triggered one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, displacing millions and devastating infrastructure in the capital, Khartoum, and the Darfur region. Since the beginning of the fighting, the warring parties have traded accusations of receiving external support, with the Sudanese Armed Forces repeatedly alleging that the RSF receives logistical and military aid from neighboring countries.
Regional and geopolitical dimensions
Talk of a military camp in Ethiopia carries serious geopolitical implications. Ethiopia, which shares a long border with Sudan, plays a pivotal role in regional security. The existence of Emirati funding for military activity within Ethiopia on behalf of a Sudanese faction could further strain diplomatic relations between Khartoum and Addis Ababa, which are already fluctuating due to other issues such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the border dispute in the al-Fashqa region. This development also reflects the international and regional competition for influence in the Red Sea region and East Africa.
International influence and international concerns
Internationally, the United Nations and several Western powers, including the United States, have warned that foreign intervention and the provision of money and weapons to the warring parties will only prolong the war and increase the suffering of civilians. Human rights organizations fear that Sudan will become a battleground for a proxy war, further complicating mediation efforts and ceasefire negotiations that have repeatedly stalled in Jeddah and Manama.
In conclusion, the Reuters report on the internal memo represents a turning point that may prompt the international community to demand more transparent investigations into the sources of war funding in Sudan, and to impose stricter sanctions on those obstructing peace.
