UAE Prioritizes Immediate Humanitarian Ceasefire in Sudan Conflict

The UAE is pushing for immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan while announcing major new partnership talks with the European Union. The Gulf nation welcomed European Parliament support for Sudan mediation efforts and is working closely with EU officials to address the ongoing conflict that has devastated the African nation.

UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh held a joint press conference in Abu Dhabi with EU Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica, where both officials announced the launch of comprehensive strategic partnership negotiations between the UAE and European Union.

"We're taking an important step toward deepening our strategic partnership," Nusseibeh said. "This reflects our shared belief that cooperation between the UAE and EU is essential for achieving stability and prosperity both within our region and globally."

The timing is significant. The UAE has signed 31 comprehensive economic partnership agreements in just three years, showing its aggressive push to expand trade relationships worldwide. The EU is already the UAE's top investment partner and second-largest trading partner globally.

Commissioner Suica emphasized that the UAE serves as a crucial hub connecting Europe with the Middle East and Asia. The partnership negotiations will build on free trade agreement talks launched in May 2024, covering areas like scientific research, innovation, energy, artificial intelligence, digitization, and humanitarian work.

But the Sudan crisis dominated much of the discussion. Both officials stressed the need for immediate humanitarian truce followed by permanent ceasefire and transition to independent civilian government.

"We're in regular consultations about the horrific conflict in Sudan," Nusseibeh said. "We fully support mediation efforts and meet regularly with our European counterparts on de-escalation conditions."

The UAE pointed to September's Quartet Group statement as a historic step toward ending the civil war between conflicting parties. The group made clear that Sudan's future shouldn't be determined by extremist groups or become a fragile state where terrorists find safe haven.

For investors and regional stability, these developments matter significantly. The UAE-EU partnership could create new opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa region, while successful Sudan mediation would help stabilize a country that's been torn apart by fighting since April 2023.

The UAE's rapid expansion of trade agreements positions it as a key gateway for European businesses looking to access Middle Eastern and Asian markets. But the real test will be whether diplomatic efforts can actually stop the violence in Sudan, where millions have been displaced and humanitarian conditions continue deteriorating.