Sudan officially cuts diplomatic ties with the UAE, declaring it an aggressor state

Sudan’s army-led government has officially severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, labeling it an “aggressor state.” In a televised address on Tuesday, Sudanese Defense Minister Yassin Ibrahim accused the UAE of violating Sudan’s sovereignty by supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group currently at war with Sudan’s military.

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has pitted Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo in a brutal struggle for power. The war has devastated the country, displacing millions and pushing parts of Sudan into famine.

Sudan alleges that the UAE is backing the RSF through weapons and logistics, fueling one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. On Monday, Sudan’s legal attempt to hold the UAE accountable at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was dismissed. The court ruled it had no jurisdiction over the genocide claims brought against the Emiratis.

Despite the ICJ ruling, Sudan’s government escalated its position, withdrawing its ambassador and cutting diplomatic ties.

This diplomatic fallout adds a new layer of complexity to the already catastrophic conflict, as regional and global powers grapple with how to respond. Aid agencies warn that without urgent intervention, Sudan faces a total collapse.

As famine spreads and the displacement crisis worsens, the international community remains deeply divided—not just over who is to blame, but what should be done next.