Sudan announced the severing of diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, designating the Gulf country an "aggressor state".
In televised speech following an emergency meeting of the Security and Defense Council on Tuesday, Sudan’s defense minister Yassin Ibrahim said that the council decided to sever diplomatic relations with the UAE and withdraw both its embassy and consulate.
"Sudan reserves the right to respond to aggression by all means to preserve the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, protect civilians, and ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid," Ibrahim said.
Sudan has been mired in a civil war since April 2023 between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has led to tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
Sudanese authorities have repeatedly accused the UAE of supporting the RSF in the two-year-long civil conflict, which has devastated civilian life and infrastructure, pushing many to the brink of famine. The UAE has categorically denied the allegations, calling them a "political charade" and a "cynical propaganda stunt."
Khartoum's move follows the International Court of Justice's decision on Monday to dismiss a case filed by Sudan alleging the UAE had violated the Genocide Convention by arming militias in Darfur. The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to impose disciplinary measures on the UAE, voting to close the case.
Tensions escalated further after the UAE announced it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle weapons to Sudan’s military, alleging involvement by individuals tied to senior army leadership.
In December, Human Rights Watch accused the paramilitary group and allied militias of widespread sexual violence in southern Sudan. In parallel, the US government formally accused the RSF of perpetrating genocide in Darfur and sanctioned its leader, Hemedti.
