Lana Nusseibeh's UN secretary-general bid criticised over UAE's Sudan role

Channel 4 News reported that Lana Nusseibeh's late candidacy for UN secretary-general has been criticised because of the UAE's alleged support for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces. Channel 4 News reported that human rights campaigners were horrified by the bid from the experienced Emirati diplomat.

Channel 4 News reported that UN experts say Sudan's Rapid Support Forces is backed by the UAE. It said both the UN panel of experts on Sudan and the fact-finding mission for Sudan concluded that the UAE provided weapons and support instrumental to sustaining RSF atrocities. The report included testimony from women from El Fasher. One said: "Our problem is with her country."

According to Channel 4 News, Nusseibeh was questioned about Sudan at the General Assembly earlier this week. She said she had taken a leave of absence from her post as a UAE minister to run and referred questions about the UAE to the UAE representation.

Channel 4 News reported that during the height of the RSF atrocities, including genocide in West Darfur, Nusseibeh repeatedly denied the findings and lobbied in the halls of power to limit scrutiny of the UAE and, by extension, the RSF. It said she had been seen inspecting UAE aid for Gaza after the UAE reduced support for UNRWA.

Channel 4 News reported that until last week Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica was seen as the leading candidate, but the US reportedly vetoed her. It said Nusseibeh appeared to be favoured by the Americans, leaving the UK with a dilemma over whether to back an Emirati diplomat while prioritising peace, accountability and atrocity prevention in Sudan.

Channel 4 News also reported that the UAE denies involvement in Sudan and promotes its image with glossy advertising campaigns. It said Mohammed bin Zayed, the UAE leader, has deep ties with successive British governments, and that UAE investment has been critical to the development of Andy Burnham's Manchester.