Somali senator calls for sanctions on UAE at Pan-African Parliament

Somali Senator Abdi Ismail Samatar, a member of Somalia’s Senate representing the country at the Pan-African Parliament, on Tuesday called for sanctions against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing it of behavior comparable to nations that supported apartheid-era regimes.

“The United Arab Emirates as a country is comparable to those who supported apartheid and Ian Smith in what was previously Rhodesia,” Samatar told delegates during the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament. “We should sanction them, take them out of the African Union, and not invite them to our forums until they come to their senses.”

His remarks come amid growing condemnation of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) alleged involvement in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, which has been described as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Since the war erupted in April 2023, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, and more than 11 million people remain displaced across Sudan and neighboring countries.

Although the UAE continues to deny any role in the war, mounting evidence has emerged suggesting otherwise. Investigations by media outlets, rights groups, and United Nations experts have documented signs of the UAE’s involvement, including support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A New York Times investigation, among others, found that Abu Dhabi had supplied weapons to the RSF under the guise of delivering humanitarian assistance.

Despite its official denials, evidence gathered by weapons experts and international monitors points to the UAE’s direct role in sustaining the RSF’s war efforts. Reports link Abu Dhabi to the supply of drones, missiles, and air defense systems used by the RSF. Flight-tracking data have shown regular cargo flights from the UAE, often routed through Bosaso in Somalia, to RSF-controlled regions in Sudan and nearby territories.

A recent exclusive investigation by Middle East Eye (MEE) further revealed that the UAE has allegedly used Bosaso’s air base and port as transit points for shipping weapons and deploying mercenaries to Sudan. High-level military sources cited by MEE claimed that Bosaso has served as a covert logistics hub for UAE operations, despite official Emirati statements insisting that their involvement in Sudan is limited to humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts.

The Sudanese army has also accused the UAE of facilitating the recruitment of foreign fighters to reinforce the RSF, allegations that Abu Dhabi continues to reject. Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence officials and lawmakers have voiced growing concern that the UAE’s actions, have strengthened a militia accused of war crimes and atrocities. These concerns have prompted renewed calls in Washington to reconsider arms sales and security cooperation with the Gulf state. While the Emirates publicly maintain their neutrality, their actions on the ground appear increasingly at odds with their stated commitment to peace. The comments from Senator Abdi come amid these mounting accusations against the UAE.