The United Arab Emirates condemned attacks carried out against civilians in the city of El Fasher in North Darfur, announcing an additional $100 million to support humanitarian operations in the war-torn area.
"The United Arab Emirates condemns the heinous attacks against civilians in El Fasher, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law," the country's permanent representative to the UN, Mohamed Abushahab, told the Security Council on Thursday, calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
"The warring parties must fully comply with International Humanitarian Law, including providing humanitarian corridors and safe passage and allowing and facilitating rapid and unhindered humanitarian aid," he added.
The Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) takeover of El Fasher has sparked widespread concern as reports and footage of attacks against civilians have emerged. Gen Mohamed Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary group, acknowledged in a video broadcast on Wednesday that his men committed "abuses".
The UN Security Council condemned the RSF assault on the city. In a statement, council members expressed grave concern over the escalating violence and urged all sides to protect civilians and respect international law. They also called for accountability for those responsible for violations.
"The unfolding horrors on the ground reaffirm that the only viable solution lies in a genuine transitional process – one that leads to an independent civilian-led government that is not controlled by either of the warring parties, " Mr Abushahab said.
"The world must speak with Sudan’s civilians, not their tormentors," he stated, reiterating that neither the army nor the RSF should take part in a future Sudanese government.
The RSF’s seizure of El Fasher has fuelled fears that Africa’s third-largest country could once again fragment, with the paramilitary force controlling Darfur while the army retains power in Khartoum and the nation’s northern and eastern regions. Almost 15 years ago, oil-rich South Sudan broke away after decades of civil war.
Mr Abushahab dismissed accusations by Sudan's UN envoy against the UAE. "For more than two years, my country, the United Arab Emirates, regardless of the lies repeated here, has been clear both the [Sudanese army] and the RSF has disqualified themselves from shaping Sudan's future.”
The UAE – together with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the US – have been pushing for a ceasefire in Sudan. A new peace proposal by the countries, known as the Quad, called for an initial three-month truce followed by a return to civilian rule in which the Muslim Brotherhood is kept out of power. The Sudanese army rejected the proposal.
"The SAF has sabotaged every credible peace effort, its intransigence has led to the catastrophe that we are witnessing today," Mr Abushahab stated. "It derailed and dismissed every peace effort and only a few days ago in Washington, it rejected a proposal for a nationwide ceasefire before discussions even began."
The US hosted officials from the Quad countries over the weekend but the meetings ended without producing tangible results. "The members reaffirmed their commitment to the September 12 ministerial statement and agreed to establish a Joint Operational Committee to strengthen co-ordination on urgent priorities," Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to the White House on Arab and African affairs, wrote on social media at the time.
The UAE has been a key provider of humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. Mr Abushahab announced that an additional $100 million would be put forward to support "life-saving humanitarian operations" in El Fasher.
The war in Sudan, which is midway through its third year, has killed tens of thousands and displaced at least 13 million people. About 30 million – more than half the population – are facing hunger, with famine declared in some areas, mainly in Darfur.
Both warring sides have been accused of crimes. The RSF has been accused by the UN and rights groups of war crimes, including a 2023 attack on another Darfur city, Geneina, where hundreds were killed and tens of thousands fled across the border to Chad.
The army also faces charges of war crimes, chiefly over indiscriminate shelling and killings of suspected collaborators in areas it has retaken from the RSF.
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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