By Asiimwe Angel
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Reem Kateet, the United Arab Emirates’ representative to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, firmly denied allegations leveled by the Sudanese Armed Forces against the UAE, labeling them as baseless and misleading. Speaking before the court, Kateet asserted that claims accusing the UAE of fueling the ongoing conflict in Sudan were far removed from reality and represented an attempt by Sudan’s military to misuse international institutions to tarnish the UAE’s reputation.
“The notion that the UAE is stoking the conflict in Sudan is entirely unfounded,” Kateet declared. “These accusations are a clear example of deliberate misinformation aimed at attacking the UAE at every opportunity.” She emphasized that since the outbreak of the war in Sudan, the UAE has refrained from supplying weapons or military support to any of the warring factions, focusing instead on humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
Kateet, who serves as the Deputy Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided a detailed account of her country’s involvement with Sudan. She highlighted that following the political upheaval in April 2022, the UAE invested over $4 billion to support the Sudanese people, bolster national institutions, and aid the transition to civilian governance. This assistance was part of a broader commitment to stability in the region.
She also referenced a military cooperation agreement signed between Sudan and the UAE in July 2021. Under this pact, Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had sought UAE assistance to facilitate a peaceful political transition. However, these efforts were derailed in April 2023 when war broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), plunging the country into chaos.
“Since the war began, the UAE has not provided arms to any party involved in the conflict,” Kateet reiterated. Instead, she said, the UAE has prioritized alleviating the suffering of Sudanese civilians caught in the crossfire. The Emirates has delivered substantial humanitarian aid to address the dire needs of those affected by the violence, which has displaced millions and left countless others in desperate conditions.
Addressing the legal proceedings at the ICJ, Kateet argued that the court lacks jurisdiction over the matter raised by Sudan. “We maintain our position that there is no legal basis for the ICJ’s involvement in this context,” she stated, while underscoring the UAE’s respect for international law. She accused Sudan’s military of exploiting the court to deflect responsibility for the ongoing violence.
Kateet painted a grim picture of the situation in Sudan, describing it as “heartbreaking.” She condemned the escalating violence targeting civilians, including horrific acts such as sexual violence, and called for an immediate end to these atrocities. “Those responsible for such crimes must be held accountable,” she insisted, urging the international community to intensify efforts to halt the bloodshed.
Throughout her address, Kateet reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering support for international mediation initiatives aimed at ending the conflict. She stressed that the Emirates has consistently backed diplomatic endeavors to bring the warring parties—Sudan’s military and the RSF—to the negotiating table. “We have supported various mediation efforts to ensure that both sides in this conflict uphold their responsibilities under international law,” she said.
The UAE’s stance, according to Kateet, is rooted in a desire to see stability restored to Sudan through a peaceful resolution. “Our goal is a Sudan where the people can live in peace and security, free from the devastation of war,” she concluded.
The UAE’s defense at the ICJ comes amid growing global concern over Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has claimed thousands of lives, displaced over 10 million people, and triggered widespread food insecurity. International organizations have warned of an impending famine, while reports of war crimes continue to surface.
As the war drags on, the UAE’s emphasis on humanitarian support and diplomacy underscores a broader appeal to the international community: the need for a unified push to end the violence and address its root causes. For now, the ICJ proceedings mark another chapter in the complex interplay between legal battles and the pursuit of peace in one of Africa’s most troubled nations.
