European Left Fails to Pass Resolution Holding UAE Responsible for Sudan War

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A coalition of left-leaning parties in the European Parliament failed to secure language assigning responsibility to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the war in Sudan in a resolution passed on Thursday.

According to Politico, three parliamentary officials familiar with negotiations between political factions said an attempt to reference the UAE’s role in the Sudan conflict—proposed by the Socialists, Renew Europe, and the Greens—proved to be a red line for the European People’s Party (EPP), which was backed by parties to its right.

The European Parliament on Wednesday evening adopted a new resolution on the escalating war in Sudan, strongly condemning atrocities committed against civilians, particularly the large-scale crimes perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of El Fasher, which included mass killings, sexual violence, and the deliberate destruction of civilian and religious infrastructure.

The Parliament affirmed that both warring parties—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF—have committed serious violations of international humanitarian law, including starvation of civilians, attacks on hospitals, recruitment of children, and obstruction of humanitarian aid. It warned that Sudan is facing the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, with millions displaced and essential services collapsing.

The resolution called for the immediate establishment of safe humanitarian corridors under UN and African Union supervision, and for lifting restrictions on communications inside Sudan, noting that internet shutdowns endanger civilians and hinder relief operations.

The Parliament also called for new sanctions against the leaders of both warring parties—including Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti”—and for considering the inclusion of the RSF on the EU terrorism list. It further urged an end to all foreign interventions, especially the transfer of weapons, mercenaries, and smuggled gold that prolong the conflict.

The resolution stressed the need for a civilian-led political process, including meaningful participation of Sudanese civil society groups—especially women and youth—in any peace pathway, and urged support for African Union and Quad efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire and restart political talks.

Behind the Scenes of the European Parliament Session
According to Politico, the UAE delegation held multiple meetings with senior European lawmakers to stress that Abu Dhabi plays a “constructive role” in Sudan, despite accusations that it actively supports the RSF—a militia notorious for ethnic massacres and sexual violence.

In the end, MEPs adopted a resolution on Thursday afternoon condemning the devastating civil war in Sudan, but without any mention of alleged Emirati involvement.

Human rights organizations, independent media outlets, and Sudanese officials have accused Abu Dhabi of fueling the conflict by supplying weapons to the RSF in its fight against the Egyptian-backed Sudanese Armed Forces.

The adopted text—supported by a broad coalition including the conservative EPP, the center-left Socialists & Democrats (S&D), the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), far-right nationalists, Renew Europe, and the Greens—condemned the two-year conflict that has killed tens of thousands and pushed 25 million people into acute hunger.

Two officials familiar with the talks told Politico that UAE representatives denied any links to the RSF, insisting that their only goal is to promote peace in Sudan and act as a key mediator.

A private room was provided to the Abu Dhabi delegation inside the European Parliament, next to the Hemicycle chamber, to conduct its meetings.

“When foreign visitors come to Parliament and request a room, we provide it,” said Juri Laas, spokesperson for Parliament President Roberta Metsola, in comments to Politico. “Not everyone asks, but if they do—and a room is available—we make it available.”

Despite the lack of explicit reference to UAE support for the RSF, the Socialists, Renew Europe, and the Greens ultimately agreed to back the resolution.

Three individuals involved in the process said these groups were satisfied with the final wording negotiated with the EPP and wanted to send a strong message of support to Sudan.