Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for expelling the majority of its consular staff from Dubai without providing an official reason, calling the move a serious violation of international diplomatic norms.
In a statement released on Saturday, the ministry said the incident breaches the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, which guarantee immunity and protection for foreign diplomats.
According to Sudanese officials, the diplomats were held for over eight hours at Dubai International Airport after completing exit procedures, during which they were interrogated and had their phones and laptops confiscated. Sudan described the treatment as “unprecedented” and “tantamount to espionage,” alleging that it caused the staff to miss their flights and purchase new tickets.
The Foreign Ministry criticized the UAE’s conduct as a “deliberate disregard” for its obligations under international law, emphasizing that diplomatic immunity is a cornerstone of relations between states.
Furthermore, the ministry warned that the expulsion undermines essential consular services for Sudanese citizens residing in the UAE, including passport renewals and document processing. It accused UAE authorities of targeting individuals critical to protecting the rights and privacy of Sudanese nationals.
The incident further deepens the diplomatic rift between Sudan and the UAE, which has escalated in recent months amid accusations of Emirati support for Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the country’s ongoing civil conflict.