Biden urges world to ‘stop arming generals’ in Sudan

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United Nations – US President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged all countries to cut off weapons supplies to rival generals in Sudan, as the UN chief said he regretted inaction in stopping a war that has triggered a major humanitarian crisis.

“The world needs to stop arming the generals. Speak with one voice and tell them: ‘Stop tearing your country apart. Stop blocking aid to the Sudanese people. End this war now,’” Biden told the UN General Assembly.

The address came one day after Biden met in Washington with the leader of the United Arab Emirates, widely accused of arming the Rapid Support Forces, which the United States says has carried out war crimes against the ethnic African population of Darfur.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking before Biden, voiced frustration at the role of foreign powers in the “brutal power struggle” in Sudan that has “unleashed horrific violence.”

“A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding as famine spreads. Yet outside powers continue to interfere, with no unified approach to finding peace,” Guterres said.

Biden pointed to US efforts to mediate the crisis. A US-led conference in Switzerland last month led to limited promises by the two sides on aid access.

“The United States has led the world to provide humanitarian aid to Sudan, and with our partners, have led diplomatic talks to try to silence the guns and… avert a wider famine,” Biden said.

The United States has quietly pressed the United Arab Emirates over support to the Rapid Support Forces, whose fighters worked with Abu Dhabi in an offensive against Yemen’s Iranian-backed Huthi insurgents, according to diplomats.

Biden nonetheless designated the United Arab Emirates as a “major defense partner.” Abu Dhabi has worked closely with the United States on other issues and won Washington’s praise for the landmark step of recognizing Israel in 2020.

In a joint statement on Monday, Biden and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said they shared concerns about “the risk of imminent atrocities” in Darfur.

They urged all sides to “comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.”