By Fatma Younis
Members of the Sudanese diaspora and international human rights monitors have denounced the candidacy of Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General, citing her denial of accusations that the UAE is fueling the Sudan war by supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The UAE nominated Nusseibeh last week to replace António Guterres, whose second term ends this year. Rights groups have documented evidence of UAE support for the RSF, which has been accused of atrocities including an October 2025 attack on El Fasher that the UN said had "hallmarks of genocide."
Sudanese pro-democracy activist Hala al-Karib said Nusseibeh has "no track record of acting independently of her country's role in Sudan," and that Security Council endorsement would amount to denial of genocidal acts by the RSF.
At a virtual briefing by Avaaz, Ibrahim Alduma, co-founder of Sudan Action Hub, warned Nusseibeh's success would erode faith in the UN among Sudanese civilians. Husam Mahjoub, co-founder of Sudan Bukra TV, said electing the UAE's senior diplomat would hand UN leadership to that government's chief defender.
Former Human Rights Watch director Kenneth Roth said Nusseibeh "blatantly denies" UAE's role in arming the RSF without regard to facts. HRW advocacy chief Bruno Stagno Ugarte said her dismissal of UN reports documenting UAE-RSF links "seriously undermined justice and accountability."
Nusseibeh responded Tuesday, saying she would support UN fact-finding missions for accountability and transitional justice, describing RSF crimes as "atrocious." She noted taking leave from her ministerial post to be "mindful of the obligations of independence."
To become Secretary-General, a candidate needs nine affirmative votes from the 15 Security Council members and no veto from permanent members. An informal poll this month placed former Costa Rican vice-president Rebeca Grynspan as narrow frontrunner, though all candidates received opposing votes from permanent members. The next straw poll could occur as early as Friday.
