War crimes in Sudan: Canada must act NOW

Canada must break its silence about the U.A.E.’s support to the RSF militia.

The war in Sudan has shredded the fabric of life for millions of people: displacement, sexual violence, forced starvation, executions, kidnappings and the wholesale devastation of infrastructure.

Canada’s response has been slow and piecemeal—we can and must do more.

Send a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand now and demand Canada take immediate action in two ways:

• Canada must prioritize human life in Sudan over the pursuit of blood money in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and exert pressure on the U.A.E. to stop aiding and abetting war crimes in Sudan.
• Make Sudan a priority: appoint a Special Envoy to coordinate Canada’s engagement and action in this conflict.

Send your letter now or scroll down past the letter for more information.

Why must Canada call out the U.A.E. for its actions in Sudan?

Since the war in Sudan began in 2023, there has been mounting evidence of the combatants committing war crimes. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been particularly merciless toward civilians and stands accused of genocide. In October 2025, the carnage from the RSF’s civilian slaughter in El Fasher, Darfur could be seen from space and verified videos show that they spared no one, however vulnerable.

Other countries are fueling this war. The U.A.E. is the RSF’s main backer, providing the paramilitary force with weaponry and other support.

The international community—including Canada—has been silent about the U.A.E.’s support for war crimes in Sudan.

Canada must break that silence and use the political and diplomatic tools at its disposal to pressure the U.A.E. to end its assistance to the RSF.

Canada has a significant economic and defense relationship with the U.A.E. and seeks further investment from the Emirates—tantamount to courting blood money. While up to half a million Sudanese civilians have been killed and millions more made refugees, Canada praised "the U.A.E.'s role as a global development and humanitarian partner."

This is unacceptable given the atrocities the country has supported.

Canada needs to make Sudan a priority and appoint a Special Envoy

As a first step to scaling up Canada’s action, Canada should appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan: a high-level political advocate with dedicated expertise and experience.

An envoy would inform the political agenda of Cabinet members, support Canada’s peacebuilding efforts, keep Sudan in the media, engage with civil society and diaspora groups, hear from Sudanese people on the ground, especially women, review the effectiveness of sanctions, influence international counterparts and make informed recommendations for further government action. An envoy’s mandate should include addressing corporate involvement or conflict financing that is perpetuating the war.

Photo: Hundreds of thousands of people displaced from El Fasher have sought refuge in Tawila, North Darfur. They are living out in the open, struggling to access food and water. What little water is available is provided by volunteers. (Tina Abu-Hanna/Norwegian Refugee Council)