Sudan cuts diplomatic ties with UAE, labels country "aggressor"

On May 7, 2025, Sudan announced it had severed diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), labelling the country as an "aggressor."

The decision was made during a meeting of Sudan's Security and Defence Council, chaired by the head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Caliber.Az reports, citing Sudanese media.

The decision was taken by the Sudanese Sovereign Council due to the continued support of the UAE for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebels.

"Over the past two years, the world has witnessed the UAE's attacks on Sudan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens, carried out through its local puppet—terrorist rebel forces, the RSF," said Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim after the meeting.

"When the UAE realised the defeat of their local puppet group, which was crushed by our armed forces—the legitimate institution tasked with defending the country and protecting its resources—they increased their support and sent more forces and resources to equip the rebels with modern strategic weapons," Ibrahim added.

He stated that the UAE continues to target vital facilities in Sudan, including oil and gas storage, Port Sudan, airports, power stations, and hotels, warning that these actions endanger the lives and property of millions of civilians and threaten regional and international security, particularly the security of the Red Sea.

The defence minister confirmed that, in light of these ongoing attacks, the Security and Defence Council decided to declare the UAE an "aggressor state," sever diplomatic ties with the UAE, and recall Sudan’s embassy and consulate.

Ibrahim emphasised that, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which grants nations the right to self-defence, Sudan reserves the right to respond to aggression by any means necessary to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, its citizens, and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.