UAE Rejects Amnesty Claims of Supplying Chinese Weapons to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Amid Ongoing Conflict

The UAE has denied Amnesty International's claims that it supplied Chinese-made weapons to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), involved in conflict with the Sudanese military. Amnesty's report, released on May 8, 2025, alleges the RSF used Chinese GB50A bombs and AH-4 howitzers, supposedly re-exported by the UAE, in attacks in Khartoum and Darfur. UAE officials dismissed the report as 'baseless,' stating the weapons are not exclusive to the UAE. Sudan has severed diplomatic ties with the UAE over these allegations, while Amnesty calls for stricter arms embargo enforcement.

Amnesty Report Alleges UAE Arms Transfers to RSF

On May 8, 2025, Amnesty International published a report asserting that the RSF had deployed Chinese GB50A guided bombs and 155mm AH-4 howitzers in recent offensives in Sudan, including in Khartoum and the Darfur region. The rights group stated that these weapons were likely re-exported by the UAE, the only known importer of the AH-4 howitzer system from China, based on data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Brian Castner, Head of Crisis Research at Amnesty International, said, “This is clear evidence that sophisticated Chinese-made guided bombs and howitzers have been used in Sudan. The presence of recently manufactured Chinese bombs in North Darfur is a clear violation of the arms embargo by the UAE.”

Amnesty’s findings were based on verified video and photographic evidence showing RSF fighters operating the weapons. The report also cited a drone strike near Al-Malha in North Darfur that killed 13 civilians, allegedly carried out using these advanced systems.

UAE Responds: “Baseless” and “Misleading” Allegations

In response, the UAE’s Assistant Minister for Security and Military Affairs, Salem Aljaberi, issued a statement on May 9 via social media, strongly rejecting the accusations. “The United Arab Emirates is aware of a misleading report published by a non-governmental organisation regarding allegations surrounding the presence of AH-4 howitzer systems in Sudan,” Aljaberi said.

He emphasized that the AH-4 howitzer has been available on the international market for nearly a decade and is not exclusive to the UAE. “The UAE strongly rejects the suggestion that it is supplying weaponry to any party involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan,” he added.

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reiterated that Abu Dhabi does not recognize the legitimacy of Sudan’s internationally recognized military government, which had earlier accused the UAE of violating Sudanese sovereignty by backing the RSF.

Sudan Cuts Diplomatic Ties with UAE

Tensions between Sudan and the UAE escalated earlier this week when Sudan’s Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim publicly accused the UAE of arming the RSF. On May 6, Sudan’s military government announced it was severing diplomatic relations with Abu Dhabi, citing violations of national sovereignty and support for a paramilitary group engaged in hostilities against the state.

The UAE, in turn, rejected the legitimacy of Sudan’s military-led administration and denied any involvement in the conflict.

Amnesty Calls for Arms Embargo Enforcement

Amnesty International has called on China, a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), to take immediate steps to prevent the diversion of arms to Sudan. The organization urged a halt to all arms transfers to the UAE until it can guarantee that no weapons will be re-exported to embargoed destinations such as Sudan.

Castner criticized the international community’s inaction, stating, “It is shameful that the UN Security Council is failing to implement the existing arms embargo on Darfur, and not heeding calls to extend it to all of Sudan. Civilians are being killed and injured because of global inaction, while the UAE continues to flout the embargo.”

Amnesty also referenced previous instances where the UAE allegedly violated arms embargoes, including the supply of Wing Loong drones to Libya.

Chinese Weapons in Sudan: A Growing Concern

The weapons identified in the Amnesty report—GB50A guided bombs and AH-4 howitzers—are manufactured by Norinco, a Chinese state-owned defense company. According to SIPRI, the UAE is the only country known to have imported the AH-4 system from China, in a 2019 deal.

Amnesty’s report marks the first documented use of the GB50A guided bomb in any conflict worldwide. The organization stated that these weapons were used in both ground assaults and drone strikes, including recent attacks on Port Sudan, a key humanitarian hub and the seat of Sudan’s army-backed government.

Escalation of RSF Drone Attacks

The release of the Amnesty report coincides with a surge in RSF drone attacks on army-controlled areas, particularly Port Sudan. Between May 4 and 9, the RSF launched daily drone strikes targeting critical infrastructure, including fuel depots, power stations, and the city’s only operational international airport. Sudanese air defenses reportedly intercepted several drones, but others caused significant damage and civilian casualties.

The United Nations has warned that the attacks threaten to worsen the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has already displaced over 13 million people and killed tens of thousands since the conflict began.

International Legal Developments

Earlier this week, the International Court of Justice dismissed a lawsuit filed by Sudan accusing the UAE of involvement in genocide, citing a lack of jurisdiction under the Genocide Convention. UAE official Reem Ketait welcomed the ruling, calling it “clear and decisive.”

Despite the legal outcome, international scrutiny of the UAE’s alleged role in the Sudanese conflict continues to mount, with calls for greater transparency and accountability in arms transfers.