A prominent international human rights organization released findings Tuesday alleging that the United Arab Emirates provided military instruction to Colombian fighters before deploying them in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Human Rights Watch’s latest findings represent another accusation against the Gulf nation, claiming it has provided financial and military assistance to the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organization facing widespread allegations of committing serious violations including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
The UAE rejected these new claims when contacted by The Associated Press for comment.
“The recruitment of Colombian private military contractors adds to a growing body of evidence that the UAE provides military support to the Rapid Support Forces, which have repeatedly carried out heinous atrocities in Sudan,” said Mausi Segun, executive director of HRW’s Africa Division.
The conflict in Sudan began on April 15, 2023, after tensions between the country’s military leadership and the RSF escalated into armed confrontations in Khartoum and other areas throughout the large northeastern African nation.
The RSF emerged from the Janjaweed militias, Arab groups that gained infamy for brutal acts committed against East and Central African populations in Sudan’s Darfur region during the early 2000s.
According to Human Rights Watch’s investigation, hundreds of Colombian fighters received instruction from UAE citizens at a military installation in the Al Dhafra region, located approximately 250 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi, as well as at a second location in Abu Dhabi, before being sent to Sudan to support RSF operations.
The organization cited an unidentified Colombian fighter who said he provided training to RSF personnel at facilities near Nyala, South Darfur’s main city, in April of the previous year.
Numerous trainees were “young children,” according to the fighter’s account. The rights organization reported conducting interviews with another Colombian fighter and additional sources, including former Colombian military personnel.
A United Nations expert panel reported to the U.N. Security Council in September that Colombian fighters participated in combat operations across various regions of Sudan, including Khartoum, the neighboring city of Omdurman, and the Darfur and Kordofan areas. The panel noted that these fighters’ responsibilities included operating RSF unmanned aircraft, artillery equipment and armored vehicles, while also taking part in direct military operations.
In February video statements, RSF commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo confirmed that Colombian fighters have assisted his organization with drone operations.
Human Rights Watch identified Global Security Services Group, a private security company based in Abu Dhabi, as the entity responsible for hiring the fighters. The U.N. experts reported that Mohammed Hamdan Al-Zaabi, a UAE citizen, led the company.
While UAE authorities and the security firm did not respond to Human Rights Watch’s inquiries, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry disputed the claims in correspondence with the AP.
“The UAE does not permit its territory to be used for the recruitment, training, financing or transit of foreign fighters to any conflict, including Sudan,” the ministry stated.
The ministry added that any individual or organization, whether Emirati or foreign, providing assistance to non-state armed organizations “would be doing so without state authorization, in violation of Emirati law, and would be subject to criminal investigation and prosecution.”
Human Rights Watch reported authenticating video evidence showing fighters, believed to be Colombian, supporting RSF forces during their seizure of el-Fasher in Darfur this October. U.N.-commissioned experts characterized this military campaign as displaying “the hallmarks of genocide.” The United Nations reported that no fewer than 6,000 people died within three days.
The rights organization urged the global community, including the European Union, to pressure the UAE to cease its RSF support by halting military cooperation and weapons transactions.
“Other countries need to stop accepting the UAE’s blanket denials of support to the RSF which fly in the face of the facts, and should put an end to its impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Segun said.
The United States has placed sanctions on numerous individuals and companies in Colombia’s capital, Bogota, for allegedly recruiting and sending Colombian fighters to support the RSF. However, it has not responded to reports regarding the UAE’s alleged RSF assistance, despite accusing the group of conducting “summary executions, ethnically motivated attacks, sexual and gender-based violence, and torture throughout areas under its control” during the conflict.
The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project reported that at least 59,000 people have died during the three-year period. The U.S.-based monitoring organization acknowledged that its casualty count likely underrepresents the actual toll due to reporting challenges.
