UAE sentences eight people to life over arms supplies to Sudan’s army
A UAE court has sentenced eight people to life imprisonment for supplying weapons and military equipment to Sudan's army through a money-laundering network.
The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal concluded on Thursday that the convicted individuals participated in an integrated scheme for illicit trafficking of weapons, ammunition and military equipment to Sudan's army. The court ordered confiscation of ammunition and communications devices used in the crimes and deportation of the convicts after serving their sentences.
Money Laundering Scheme
The accused were found to have forged documents using companies and bank accounts in the UAE to channel funds related to the arms deals and conceal their sources and destinations. The court stated that arms deals, money laundering endangered UAE interests.
Regional Tensions
Ties between the UAE and Sudan have deteriorated as the Sudanese military has accused Abu Dhabi of supplying arms to its rival, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The UAE has denied this allegation while Sudan's war has displaced more than 14 million people and created severe poverty and food shortages.
The war has displaced more than 14 million people and created severe poverty and food shortages.
Civil War Escalation
This week, more than 100 people – mostly women and children – were killed when military drones hit a busy city market in Nyala, western Darfur. Doctors Without Borders reported a second attack on a civilian neighborhood, with a hospital receiving 36 bodies, 21 in civilian clothing, and treating over 150 wounded.
The UN Human Rights Office has previously accused the RSF of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in its takeover of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
Related
