KEY POINTS
- New legislation aims to sanction Sudan war leaders and prevent arms sales.
- Sudan faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions in need of aid.
- Allegations of UAE support for the RSF complicate peace efforts.
A new piece of legislation is set to be introduced on Tuesday by Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, aiming to tackle the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
The bill, which is co-sponsored by Democratic Representative Sara Jacobs and 12 other Democratic colleagues, seeks to impose sanctions on leaders from both sides of the civil war and prevent U.S. arms sales to nations supporting the conflict.
The bill also requires the U.S. president to outline a strategy to deliver humanitarian aid to Sudan and work towards establishing peace in the war-torn nation.
Additionally, it proposes the creation of a special presidential envoy to Sudan, who would be tasked with coordinating U.S. diplomatic and policy efforts over a five-year term.
US lawmakers push for greater action amid Sudan’s humanitarian crisis
The introduction of this bill reflects growing concern in Washington over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where war has raged since April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The war began after a struggle over a transition to free elections and has led to tens of thousands of deaths and massive displacement. Nearly half of Sudan’s population, around 25 million people, are in dire need of aid.
As the situation worsens, famine looms over the country, and more than 8 million Sudanese have fled their homes. In the Darfur region, atrocities against the non-Arab Masalit ethnic group have been widely documented, with accusations of targeted killings, expulsions, and rape. The RSF denies involvement in these violent acts.
UAE support for RSF raises questions as global peace efforts falter
While the international community has struggled to respond effectively, allegations of foreign military support to the RSF have intensified.
United Nations sanctions monitors have confirmed the credibility of reports suggesting that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has provided military backing to the RSF. The UAE has denied these accusations, but the alleged support has raised alarm among U.S. lawmakers.
A Democratic Foreign Affairs staffer stated that the RSF’s ability to sustain its fighting force at such intensity would not be possible without “significant” foreign military support.
According to Reuters, he emphasized the lack of accountability and response to these foreign interventions, specifically the UAE’s involvement.
This is not the first time international efforts to curb the conflict have faltered. Last month, Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and for warring parties to allow humanitarian aid to reach affected areas.
The bill’s introduction, amid a Republican-controlled Congress and with former President Donald Trump set to return to the White House next month, highlights the growing urgency in Washington to address Sudan’s ongoing suffering.
