Biden reports to Congress about the UAE’s assurances about not sending weapons to Sudan
The Biden administration has until January 17 to present a report to US lawmakers on the validity of the United Arab Emirates’ assurances that it will not provide weapons to the Rapid Reaction Force in Sudan.
According to Isna, in the letter of Brett McGurk, Joe Biden’s Middle East and North African affairs coordinator, about the presentation of this report on the mentioned date, it is stated: The US President Joe Biden’s administration is considering an assessment next month on the validity of the UAE’s guarantees that Failure to provide weapons to rapid response forces in Sudan to Congress.
The White House is under pressure from Democrats to halt arms sales to the United Arab Emirates until it receives assurances that Sudan’s rapid response forces will not be disarmed.
According to Reuters News agency, American Senator Chris Van Hollen and another American legislator, Sarah Jacobs, presented a bill in the Senate and the House of Representatives last month, which includes stopping the sale of weapons.
Emphasizing that the United States will not transfer any weapons to the Rapid Reaction Forces, McGurk wrote: “Despite reports we have received to the contrary so far, the UAE has informed the government that no weapons will be transferred to the Rapid Reaction Forces.” has not transferred and will not do so in the future. The government will “monitor the credibility of these guarantees provided by the United Arab Emirates.”
He added: By January 17, I undertake to provide you with the updated evaluation of the executive branch in this regard.
Jacobs also wrote: “Without the support of the UAE, Sudan’s rapid reaction forces would not be able to carry out this war. “Negotiation and ceasefire are better alternatives.”
Stating that Washington will monitor the validity indicators of these guarantees provided by the UAE, he added: “By January 17, I undertake to provide you with an updated assessment of the government in this regard.”
The Sudanese war began in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the country’s rapid reaction forces over the transfer of power. The United Nations has announced that nearly 25 million people, half of Sudan’s population, are in need of aid, famine is looming, and about 8 million have fled their homes.
Sudan’s military has accused the United Arab Emirates of providing weapons and supporting rapid reaction forces in Sudan’s 18-month war. The UAE denies these accusations.
United Nations sanctions monitors have said that the UAE’s extensive military support for rapid reaction forces are credible allegations.
In October, the Biden administration announced that it had approved a potential $1.2 billion sale of ATCMs and GMLRS ammunition to the UAE; The GMLRS, or Multiple Launch Guided Rocket System rockets, are manufactured by Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris Technologies produces the solid fuel rocket motor for the system. Atcoms long-range missiles are manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
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