The United Arab Emirates (UAE) denies arming the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with Chinese-made weapons. According to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), the UAE secures influence in Sudan and the Red Sea through the RSF. The NGO, Amnesty International, stated on May 8, 2025, that bombs manufactured by Norinco Group, a Chinese defense contractor, were found in Khartoum, Sudan — the capital of Sudan and a main area of conflict in the war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The UAE has previously denied the allegation of supplying weapons to the RSF group.

Norinco, or China North Industries Corporation Group Limited, is a state-owned international defense corporation that exports a majority of arms in the region. Norinco has been a significant part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The China-led initative states its goal is to promote connectivity on a global scale to improve trade, investment, and living conditions. 

The bombs found from an attack that occurred March 9, 2025, in Khartoum were identified by Amnesty International as GB50A bombs. The bombs’ fragments were digitally analyzed. It confirmed the bomb was made at Norinco in 2024. This was the first time these bombs had been documented in active use during a conflict. 155mm AH-4 Howitzers, a lightweight type of artillery, were also found. AH-4 Howitzers have only ever been imported to the UAE by China. These weapons killed thirteen individuals and injured an unnamed amount. Families of the victims claim they were community leaders targeted by the RSF — but Amnesty International has found no evidence to support this.

Both the UAE and China are members of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The ATT promotes responsibility and unified standards in international arms trading. It seeks to eradicate illicit trade and the diversion of conventional arms. The treaty states, “Acknowledging that regulation of the international trade in conventional arms and preventing their diversion should not hamper international cooperation and legitimate trade…Bearing in mind that civilians, particularly women and children, account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict and armed violence…Recognizing the legitimate political, security, economic and commercial interests of States in the international trade in conventional arms”.

Salem Aljaberi, the UAE’s assistant minister for security and military affairs, stated on X on May 8, 2025, to the account AfraMalHameli, 

“The UAE strongly rejects the suggestion that it is supplying weaponry to any party involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. These claims are baseless and lack substantiated evidence. The UAE reaffirms its consistent and clear position: it is not providing arms or military support to any of the warring parties in Sudan. This has been conveyed directly to the United Nations and is reflected in the latest report of the UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on the Sudan sanctions regime, which makes no findings against the UAE and provides no support to the allegations of UAE involvement in arms transfers to Sudan.”

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2750, adopted in September 2024, revised UNSC Resolution 2725. UNSC Resolution 2725 called on member states, which the UAE is a part of, to refrain from interfering in Sudan if the action is to create conflict and instability. The resolution also called for member states to remember their obligations for arms trading (UNSC Resolution 1556). If UNSC Resolution 1556 is not complied with, the UN Security Council Committee can impose embargoes and require 90-day reports from guilty member states (UNSC Resolution 1591). UNSC Resolution 2750 reaffirms its stance on due process and now requires a mandate and procedure for delisting. UNSC Resolution 2744 details the requirements for delisting.

The failure to comply with multilateral agreements would prolong the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Amnesty International suggests a country-wide arms embargo on UAE. Chinese weapons have been found in Darfur, the only city with an arms embargo. Now, they are appearing in another major city in Sudan. Weapons anywhere will only cause further damage. The United States must limit arms sales to the UAE as well, as an effect to punish and warn against violation of international arms trade agreements.