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A high-ranking Sudanese general has publicly accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supplying the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, marking the first such accusation against the UAE.

General Yassir al-Atta, in a speech to members of the General Intelligence Service, claimed, “We have information from intelligence, military intelligence, and the diplomatic circuit that the UAE sends planes to support the Janjaweed.” Al-Atta warned, “We warn any country that participates in supporting this rebellion that what goes around comes around.”

Al-Atta alleged that the UAE funneled supplies to the RSF through Uganda, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Chad, with recent support arriving through the airport in Chad’s capital, Ndjamena. He also commended Russia for dismantling the Wagner Group, which was accused of facilitating these supplies through CAR. Despite these claims, the RSF has denied any connection to the Wagner Group.

In response to these allegations, the UAE asserted its commitment to de-escalation and humanitarian aid in Sudan, including establishing a field hospital in Chad.

The RSF, a major player in the conflict, evolved from Arab militias known as the Janjaweed, which were instrumental in suppressing a rebellion in Darfur in the early 2000s. The conflict, which has displaced over 6 million people and led to ethnically driven violence in Darfur, has seen the RSF gain significant ground, including control over most of Khartoum.