For more than five decades, the UAE and Sudan have had close relations bound by deep ties of trade, culture and friendship. Since the UAE’s founding in 1971, our nations have exchanged goods, ideas and celebrations. The UAE has invested in Sudan – funding agriculture and clean water, and supporting and creating jobs through business investments. Today, the large and highly respected Sudanese expatriate community living in the UAE stands as a testament to this enduring connection.
Throughout Sudan’s turbulent history of wars and coups, the UAE was always there to help and support the Sudanese people. Regrettably, the civil war that erupted in April 2023 has reshaped Sudan’s reality, bringing death, destruction and immense suffering to its people. For nearly two years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to help alleviate this catastrophe – in concerted attempts to avoid the war following the overthrow of the civilian government and later on supporting negotiations, providing aid, and repeatedly urging both warring sides to stop the fighting and seek a political outcome.
Our commitment to peace extends beyond words. Over the past decade, the UAE has contributed more than $3.5 billion in humanitarian aid to Sudan, and since the conflict this has amounted to more than $600 million. Furthermore, the UAE’s voice was one of the most active in highlighting the effects of this war on the helpless and hapless civilians. We have also partnered with neighbouring countries to bolster humanitarian relief and have convened international actors to push for a peaceful resolution.
Most recently, this was evident at the UAE-hosted humanitarian conference on Sudan in Addis Ababa, held on the margins of the African Union summit, along with Ethiopia, the AU and the continent’s Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Numerous nations gathered together to call for a Ramadan ceasefire and reaffirm their commitment to Sudan’s future. There, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivered a stark message: the world must act – urgently and decisively – to help the people of Sudan out of this nightmare. We fully agree, which is why our pursuit of a ceasefire remains unwavering.
This commitment is part of our longstanding vision to promote peace, prosperity, partnership and sustainable economic development across Africa. UAE companies have played a vital role in connecting the continent – building ports, expanding flight networks and financing major infrastructure projects. Our collaborations with African businesses have created jobs, fostered innovation, and supported training and education programmes for young Africans. We have built together strong diplomatic and trade relationships and deepened fraternal ties across the continent. Today, the UAE stands among Africa’s largest investors, with a legacy of collaboration spanning more than 50 years. Our goal is clear: we want both Africa and the Middle East to thrive and flourish together.
We unequivocally condemn the atrocities committed by both parties and call for their immediate cessation
The Sudanese Armed Forces-led government’s farcical actions at the International Court of Justice are nothing more than a political game and publicity stunt – an attempt to drag a longstanding friend of Sudan and Africa into the conflict they themselves have fuelled. This follows the SAF’s absurd actions at the UN Security Council, which were similarly built on fabrications, falsehoods and fiction.
Let there be no confusion: the SAF are one of the two warring parties. Following the military’s seizure of power in October 2021, and the overthrow of the civilian transitional government that derailed Sudan’s civilian-led transition, they have played a central role in the ensuing conflict and instability. Their actions have directly contributed to Sudan’s suspension from the African Union, underscoring their illegitimacy in the eyes of the international community. The UAE is part of an international consensus when it views the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces as two warring parties.
If the SAF truly seek peace, the path is clear – come to the negotiating table that has already been extended in the form of the Jeddah Declaration and the Alps Group, among others. This war can end today if both sides agree to disengage and accept the repeated offers for talks made by the international community and trusted partners.
The tragic reality is that the bullets and bombings killing innocent Sudanese civilians are fired by the forces of both the SAF and the RSF. It is even more disheartening to hear reports about the use of chemical weapons by the SAF during this conflict, and throughout Sudan’s history. Regrettably, both sides continue to fight, committing the very acts that have led to their sanctions from the US and others.
Meanwhile, the UAE provides medicine, food, shelter and humanitarian aid. Despite ongoing disinformation campaigns, we do not support or supply either side. We unequivocally condemn the atrocities committed by both parties and call for their immediate cessation. We remain committed to Africa’s development and prosperity. Our support for the innocent fleeing refugees – through hospitals to camps, in South Sudan and Chad, established in collaboration with their governments – will continue.
Most importantly, we will persist in playing whatever constructive role we can to help end this humanitarian catastrophe and senseless war. The people of Sudan deserve more than survival – they deserve a future built on peace and dignity. We must not look away. Our commitment is to these people and not to the warring parties.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company%20profile
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Scotland's team:
15-Sean Maitland, 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Nick Grigg, 12-Sam Johnson, 11-Byron McGuigan, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ali Price, 8-Magnus Bradbury, 7-Hamish Watson, 6-Sam Skinner, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Ben Toolis, 3-Willem Nel, 2-Stuart McInally (captain), 1-Allan Dell
Replacements: 16-Fraser Brown, 17-Gordon Reid, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Jonny Gray, 20-Josh Strauss, 21-Greig Laidlaw, 22-Adam Hastings, 23-Chris Harris
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1
Calvin Harris
Columbia
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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