UN Panel Investigates Emirati Links To Seized Darfur Weapons 

A U.N. panel of experts charged with monitoring sanctions in Sudan is investigating how mortar rounds exported from Bulgaria to the United Arab Emirates ended up in a supply convoy for Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia fighters, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Mortar rounds seized from the convoy in November in Sudan’s North Darfur region bore the same serial number as those Bulgaria told United Nation investigators it had exported to the UAE in 2019. The serial number was visible in photos and videos posted online by pro-government militia members following the seizure.

Bulgaria told the U.N. investigators that it had shipped 81 mm mortar rounds with the same serial number to the UAE military in 2019, according to a December 19 letter from Bulgaria’s permanent mission at the U.N., reviewed by Reuters.

Bulgaria’s foreign affairs ministry told Reuters that no-one had sought its permission to re-export the munitions to a third party.

“We adamantly declare that the Bulgarian competent authority has not issued an export license for defense-related products to Sudan,” it said.

The U.N. declined to comment for this report.

The UAE has denied repeated accusations that it is fueling conflict by arming the RSF in its war against Sudan’s army.

The conflict in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes. The United States determined last year that members of the RSF and allied militias had committed genocide in fighting since May 2023.

The report, which was shared with the U.N. Security Council in April and reviewed by Reuters, has not been made public. Its only reference to the UAE is about its peacekeeping role in Sudan.

The report “makes clear that there is not substantiated evidence that the UAE has provided any arms or related support to the RSF,” UAE officials told Reuters.

The U.N. panel documents the November munitions seizure in its annual report. A pro-government militia intercepted RSF vehicles transporting mortars and other munitions and posted video and photos of weapons it seized.

Reuters/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma