The British government allegedly prioritized maintaining ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over publicly addressing the risk of mass atrocities in Sudan, according to testimony set to be presented to a parliamentary select committee. Nathaniel Raymond, a human rights investigator at Yale University, will inform the Commons international development committee that the UK possessed intelligence as early as 2024 suggesting Ethiopia was supporting a genocidal militia in Sudan's ongoing civil war.

This intelligence, which linked Ethiopia and the UAE to support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was allegedly not made public due to "significant private pressure" from the UAE. Officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) reportedly conveyed this to Raymond in May 2024. Ethiopia has consistently denied any involvement in Sudan's conflict, and its role only became public knowledge earlier this year.

Raymond's testimony is expected to highlight what he describes as the UK's "failed efforts to prevent the mass killing" of tens of thousands of people during the RSF's actions in El Fasher. He will also present details regarding a senior FCDO official's alleged attempt to downplay the death toll in El Fasher for "political" reasons, underscoring concerns about the government's response to atrocity prevention.

The parliamentary committee is currently investigating the UK's approach to preventing atrocities, prompted in part by previous reporting on the FCDO's reaction to the RSF's seizure of El Fasher in Darfur last year. The UN had previously stated that the events in El Fasher bore the "hallmarks of genocide."

The decision not to publicize the intelligence regarding Ethiopia's alleged support for the RSF, and by extension the UAE's complicity, raises questions about the UK's commitment to human rights and international justice when faced with geopolitical and economic considerations.

Raymond's forthcoming evidence suggests a potential conflict between the UK's stated foreign policy objectives of promoting stability and human rights and its pragmatic approach to maintaining strategic relationships with key allies like the UAE.

The FCDO has not yet commented on the specific allegations, but the committee's investigation is likely to put further scrutiny on the UK's foreign policy decision-making processes in conflict zones.

This development comes amid a protracted and devastating civil war in Sudan, which has led to a severe humanitarian crisis and widespread displacement, with international bodies warning of potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.