HRW: Germany Must Address UAE Sudan Conflict Role

• Human Rights Watch has urged Germany to address the UAE's alleged role in the Sudan conflict during an upcoming visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
• HRW specifically called on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss the UAE's human rights record and regional conflict involvement.
• The call follows a September 1, 2026, UN report that, according to HRW, documented Emirati support for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• HRW expressed concern over Germany's perceived reluctance to publicly discuss the UAE's role, despite Germany's past support for UN investigations into Sudanese violations.
• This situation highlights growing international scrutiny on external actors in the Sudan conflict and the implications for compliance and international law.

For compliance officers, this development signals an increasing international focus on the UAE's alleged role in the Sudan conflict, which could lead to heightened due diligence requirements or potential sanctions for entities operating in the region or those with UAE-linked parties.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the German government to address the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) alleged involvement in the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan. This appeal, made on September 8, 2026, comes just days before a scheduled visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Berlin on September 10, 2026. In a public statement, the human rights organization specifically called upon German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and other senior German officials to utilize their upcoming meetings with the Emirati leader to discuss the UAE's human rights record and its role in regional conflicts.

HRW emphasized that the existing economic and security ties between Berlin and Abu Dhabi should not deter German authorities from raising critical human rights concerns. Philip Frisch, HRW's Germany Director, voiced apprehension regarding what he described as a "lack of will" within the German government to publicly engage in discussions about the UAE's activities in Sudan. This concern is particularly notable given Germany's historical support for United Nations investigations into human rights violations in Sudan and its role as host of an international conference on the crisis earlier in the year.

The advocacy from Human Rights Watch follows the release of a significant report by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan. Published on September 1, 2026, this UN report, according to HRW, documented various forms of support provided by Emirati entities to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is a principal party to the Sudanese conflict, which erupted in April 2023.

UN investigators concluded that specific individuals and entities were involved in these activities. The findings underscore the increasing international scrutiny on external actors' roles in the Sudan conflict and the potential implications under international law for those providing material support to warring factions accused of human rights abuses. This context highlights the growing calls for accountability regarding the severe human rights violations occurring within Sudan.

The HRW call Germany UAE Sudan conflict places significant pressure on Berlin to uphold its stated commitment to human rights on the international stage, especially during high-level diplomatic engagements. The organization's insistence that economic and security partnerships should not override discussions on human rights and regional conflict involvement sets a precedent for how powerful nations navigate complex geopolitical relationships.

For compliance officers, this development signals an increasing international focus on the UAE's alleged role in the Sudan conflict, which could lead to heightened due diligence requirements or potential sanctions for entities operating in the region or those with UAE-linked parties. International law practitioners should closely monitor this advocacy for accountability, as it reinforces the importance of investigating and addressing human rights violations in Sudan under the framework of international humanitarian law. The visit of Mohammed bin Zayed to Germany, therefore, becomes a crucial moment for addressing the Sudan conflict international law implications.

Compliance officers should monitor the increasing international scrutiny on the UAE's alleged role in the Sudan conflict, as this could lead to new sanctions or heightened due diligence requirements for entities operating in the region or with UAE-linked parties. International law practitioners should note the advocacy for accountability regarding human rights violations in Sudan.

Source: Original reporting via Sudan Tribune