UN panel investigates UAE links to seized weapons in Darfur
The letters, reviewed by Reuters, show Emirati authorities declined to provide manifests that UN investigators requested for 15 different flights originating from UAE airports and landing in Amdjarass and N'Djamena in Chad.
On November 26 the UN panel wrote to Emirati authorities to request cargo manifests for the flights. In a December 10 response to the panel, the UAE declined to provide the information, citing an inability to comply with the tight deadline.
Instead the UAE provided details for about 22 metric tons of items on three flights to Amdjarass, including food, medicine and civilian vehicles. The items listed in the letter represented about half the capacity of the IL-76 cargo planes, which can carry up to 40 metric tons per trip.
The UAE did not respond to questions from Reuters about the manifests.
A key question for investigators is who is supplying arms to the RSF, which has consolidated its control of much of Darfur in a bloody campaign.
Last month Sudan filed a case against the UAE at the World Court. The government's case alleges the UAE violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention by arming the paramilitary RSF. The court opened hearings last week.
The UAE denies the charge and has argued the court has no jurisdiction to hear it.
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