The Sudanese government has called on Nigeria and other African countries to support efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Sudan, warning that the crisis could spread across the continent if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Sudan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Nigeria, Ambassador Ahmed Omer Taboul, described the conflict as a proxy war over Sudan’s natural resources, not merely a clash between rival military leaders or ethnic groups.
Taboul alleged that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the major sponsor of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which he accused of committing genocide against Sudanese civilians. He urged the international community to pressure the UAE to withdraw its support, saying doing so would end the war “in no time.”
“This is a proxy war,” he said. “The militia is fighting on behalf of others on behalf of some Arab countries like the UAE, on behalf of Israel, and on behalf of certain Western countries. If the UAE stops feeding this war, peace will return quickly.”
The envoy cautioned that the conflict poses a serious threat to the peace and security of the African continent, warning it could spread beyond Sudan’s borders into the Sahel and West Africa.
He appealed to Nigeria and other “brotherly nations” to support Sudan diplomatically, particularly ahead of the upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting on the Sudan crisis.
“We need the support of our brothers like Nigeria in international organisations such as the African Union, the EU, and the United Nations,” Taboul said. “We are quite sure that some forces are trying to adopt resolutions against Sudan. We need understanding and support, not condemnation.”
Taboul accused the RSF of ignoring previous UN Security Council resolutions, citing the group’s failure to lift the siege on Al-Fashir, which he said led to the killing of over 3,000 women and children in just two days.
The envoy stressed that the Sudanese people are determined to defend their country without foreign troops but require international understanding of their position.
“We are fighting our own war. We don’t need anyone to fight for us,” he stated. “What we need from our brothers, like Nigeria, is to understand the truth about what is happening and to accept our narrative.”
Explaining the recent expulsion of two United Nations officials from Sudan, Taboul said they were removed for allegedly submitting false reports about the situation in the country.
“Unfortunately, they were giving very false reports that did not reflect the real situation,” he said. “We still maintain good relations with UN agencies, but those two individuals had to leave. Others can replace them.”
He reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to ending the war through national resolve and African solidarity, urging Nigeria and other nations to help ensure that global actors do not exploit Sudan’s resources at the expense of its people.
