Sovereign Council Advisor: UAE Has Blocked the Release of the Darfur Panel of Experts’ Report to the UN Security Council for Over Three Months

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon
Dr. Amjad Farid El-Tayeb, the Political Advisor to the Transitional Sovereign Council, has stated that the latest report from the UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts—tasked with monitoring the arms embargo on Darfur—has been “held” from the Security Council members since July 13, with Emirati pressure preventing its release ever since.

In a post on the platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Farid noted that the United Kingdom’s call to publish the Darfur Panel of Experts’ report—a step that would allow it to be referred to the UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee—raises questions about the consistency of the UK’s position. This comes as the UK continues to issue export licenses for military equipment to a state that has been accused, in various reports and investigations, of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.

The advisor explained that the UK’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Kate Foster, urged the release of the Panel of Experts’ report during a recent Security Council meeting. She also called for increased pressure on those responsible for funding and enabling the war, noting that the advanced drone capabilities used in the Sudanese conflict are being funded, supplied, and supported through external networks. The report—parts of which have been leaked and published—includes a section detailing Emirati support for the rebellious RSF militia.

Farid pointed out that the Panel of Experts had previously issued a report concluding that evidence regarding Emirati support and the provision of arms to the RSF carries a significant degree of credibility.

In a related context, the Sovereign Council advisor drew attention to the rising value of export licenses for military equipment… British military exports to the UAE under category ML10—which includes drones, their engines, launch platforms, and control equipment—have zazrisen from £4 million in 2023 to £87 million in 2024, with a projected £77 million for 2025.

Dr. Amjad further noted that the real question regarding the British position—judged by actions rather than statements—is this: Will London support the publication of the full report and hold those involved in the militia’s arms-supply networks accountable, while simultaneously reviewing its military export licenses to the UAE, given the risk that these items could be diverted to Sudan? Or will it continue to call for an end to the flow of arms into Sudan, while persisting in authorizing exports to the very state that various reports and investigations have accused of fueling those same flows?

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