By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden's administration will provide U.S. lawmakers an assessment by Jan. 17 on the credibility of assurances by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding weapons to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday.

The letter, sent by Brett McGurk, Biden's coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, indicates the administration is under pressure from fellow Democrats to halt weapons sales to the UAE until it can certify that the UAE is not arming the RSF. This group is one of the parties involved in a brutal civil war that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.

Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Sara Jacobs submitted legislation last month in both the Senate and House to stop weapons sales.

McGurk stated, "Despite reports we have received suggesting the contrary has occurred to date, the UAE has informed the Administration that it is not now transferring any weapons to the RSF and will not do so going forward." He committed to providing lawmakers with an up-to-date assessment by January 17 and emphasized the need to monitor the credibility of the UAE's assurances.

U.S. law mandates congressional review of major arms deals, allowing Senators to force votes on resolutions to block such sales, although House members cannot initiate these votes. Resolutions must clear both chambers of Congress and avoid a presidential veto to be enacted.

Conflict erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF amidst a transition to free elections. Nearly 25 million people, about half of Sudan's population, require aid, with famine looming and around 8 million displaced from their homes.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken was slated to announce additional humanitarian assistance funding for Sudan and support for civil society at the United Nations.

The Sudanese army has accused the UAE of supporting the RSF with weapons during the ongoing conflict, a claim the Gulf state denies. U.N. sanctions monitors have reported credible allegations that the UAE provided military support to the RSF.

Historically, the UAE has been a significant buyer of U.S. arms. For instance, in October, the Biden administration approved a potential sale of GMLRS and ATACMS munitions and support worth $1.2 billion. GMLRS rockets are produced by Lockheed Martin, with L3Harris Technologies manufacturing the solid propellant rocket motor, while long-range ATACMS are also from Lockheed Martin.

Van Hollen and Jacobs aimed to stop that sale. Jacobs stated, "Without the UAE’s support, the RSF will not have the same capabilities to wage this war – making negotiation and a ceasefire a much likelier alternative." Van Hollen noted he would closely monitor the UAE's compliance, warning he could refile a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to block the sale if the assurances were not upheld.