UAE accuses Sudanese army of attacking its ambassador’s residence in Khartoum

TheSudanese army on Monday rejected an accusation by the United Arab Emirates that its forces had bombed the residence of the UAE ambassador in Khartoum, blaming instead the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF.

The UAEearlieron Mondaysaid theresidence of its ambassador in Khartoumhad beenattacked by aSudanese military aircraft, condemning it as a “heinous attack”.

These “shameful and cowardly acts” are being carried out by the paramilitary RSF,theSudanese army said in a statement.

Thearmy has repeatedly accused the UAE of providing weapons and support to the RSF inSudan’s 17-month-old war. The Gulf state denies the allegations. UNsanctions monitors have described as credible accusations that the UAE had provided military support to the RSF.

Read:Sudan war: Irony of US-UAE defence pact

War erupted in April last year between theSudanesearmy and the RSF over a transition to free elections. The UNsaysnearly 25 million people – half Sudan’s population – need aid, famine is looming and some eight million people have fled their homes.

“The Ministry stressed the importance of protecting diplomatic buildings and embassy staffresidences, in accordance with the treaties and customs that regulate diplomatic relations,” theUAEstatement added.