Van Hollen Decries Senate Failure to Curb UAE Arms Shipments to Sudan

The warning issued Monday highlights the rapid mobilization of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) near El-Obeid. With nearly 500,000 civilians at risk, international observers are drawing parallels to the recent October offensive in Darfur, which human rights experts described as bearing the hallmarks of genocide. Despite these mounting crises, the State Department’s latest public statements remain silent on the role of the UAE, which has continued to supply weaponry to the RSF despite prior denials.

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee markup last week, Van Hollen attempted to force a policy shift by introducing an amendment to the PEACE in Sudan Act that would have prohibited military transfers to the Emirates. The measure failed in a 15-7 vote, with four Democrats joining a nearly unified Republican front to sink the proposal. Senator Chris Coons, who opposed the amendment, claimed he did so only to protect the broader bill from being derailed in a GOP-controlled chamber. Van Hollen remains unconvinced by such tactical maneuvering, arguing that the U.S. must prioritize its leverage over political expediency to halt the ongoing slaughter.