Sudan has accused the United Arab Emirates of complicity in genocide in a filing at the International Court of Justice, putting the spotlight on the oil-rich monarchy’s alleged involvement in a devastating civil war.
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The UAE has long been accused by Sudan and others of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been fighting the regular army for nearly two years – an allegation the Gulf state denies.
One of Africa’s largest countries, Sudan has a wealth of natural resources including vast agricultural lands, gas and gold, of which it is the continent’s third-largest producer.
It neighbours Libya, where Abu Dhabi backs the rebel authorities, and has a coastline on the Red Sea – a crucial maritime route for oil shipping.
In 2021, Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan seized power in a coup alongside his deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.
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Two years later, fighting erupted between the two generals, with powers including the UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Russia accused of supporting one side or the other.