The UAE's Role

The UAE's support for the RSF despite credible UN evidence of genocide accusations represents a clear case of a regional power prioritizing resource extraction (particularly gold) and political influence over human rights.

The UAE has:

1. Provided weapons and ammunition to the RSF via Chad
2. Used drones supplied to the RSF
3. Gained access to Sudan's vast gold reserves
4. Violated UN weapons embargoes through various channels and intermediaries

Egypt's Calculations

Egypt's support for the Sudanese military is driven by multiple factors:

1. Fear of instability on its southern border
2. Control over Nile water resources
3. Preventing a hostile government that could align with rivals
4. Historical ties to Sudan's military establishment

Egypt has provided military support to General Burhan's forces, but this backing has effectively prolonged the conflict rather than bringing stability.

American Complicity

The United States declared Sudan a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993, imposed sanctions that crippled the economy, and bombed a pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum in 1998 (later proven to be producing medicine, not chemical weapons). These actions devastated Sudan's infrastructure and economy.

More recently, the US has:

1. Failed to put sufficient diplomatic pressure on the UAE despite calling the RSF's actions genocide
2. Not imposed meaningful consequences on countries fueling the conflict
3. Allowed the "Quad" mediation efforts to fail without alternative strategies
4. Prioritized other conflicts (Gaza, Ukraine) over Sudan

Both the Trump and Biden administrations spoke about a potential genocide occurring in Sudan but haven't been willing to put sufficient pressure diplomatically on the United Arab Emirates who are arming these probably genocidal forces.

The Epstein Files Connection

Interestingly, there's a darker connection to Western complicity. While the UK has taken action against Prince Andrew for his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and accusations involving Sudan-related activities, the United States has not released the Epstein files. Republicans, including those around Donald Trump, are blocking the release, leading to accusations of a cover-up.

This suggests that powerful Western figures may have had compromising relationships or business dealings related to Sudan and the region that they wish to keep hidden, potentially affecting policy decisions.

Saudi Arabia's Ambivalence

Saudi Arabia has attempted to play mediator through the Jeddah talks, but has been ineffective. The Saudis also have historical relationships with both sides and competing interests in the region that prevent them from taking decisive action.

The Colonial Legacy Lives On

The British created the fundamental divisions in Sudan by:

1. Drawing artificial borders
2. Creating separate administration for North and South
3. Restricting movement between regions
4. Favoring Northern elites in civil service positions
5. Encouraging Christian missionaries in the South while Islam dominated the North
6. Leaving without ensuring a unified national identity

As one analyst put it: "We come back to the very clinic and the very roots of this region also and this is maybe also the responsibility of what we have done in this part of the world in terms of decolonizing, putting borders where we're not supposed to have borders."

The West's responsibility continues through:

1. Arbitrary borders that don't represent the people
2. Supporting dictators when convenient (like Bashir until he became too problematic)
3. Imposing economic sanctions that hurt civilians more than leaders
4. Failing to provide adequate humanitarian support
5. Allowing proxy conflicts to flourish through regional allies