UAE refuses to recognise Port Sudan Authority’s Claims – Severs ties after judgement

 

The United Arab Emirates has taken a firm diplomatic stance by officially severing ties with the Port Sudan Authority, citing the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) dismissal of the authority’s accusations as a key factor in the decision. This move reflects not only a commitment to international legal norms but also a refusal to engage with what the UAE deems a non-legitimate actor.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE made it clear: “The decision of the Port Sudan Authority is not recognised, as the Authority does not represent the legitimate government of Sudan nor its honourable people.” The language of the statement leaves little room for ambiguity—this is a political and diplomatic rejection rooted in principle.

The UAE’s position underscores a critical distinction: it has not withdrawn support for Sudan as a nation, nor has it closed the door to legitimate diplomatic channels. Rather, it has isolated the Port Sudan Authority, viewing it as an entity operating outside internationally accepted frameworks.

This strategic disengagement comes at a time when regional power dynamics are increasingly being tested by internal disputes and parallel claims to authority. The UAE’s action sends a message to regional and global actors alike: legitimacy matters, and so does respect for multilateral adjudication.

By aligning its foreign policy with the ICJ’s judgement, the UAE reaffirms its image as a nation that values order, legal frameworks, and respect for sovereign legitimacy. In an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, such clarity is not only rare but necessary.

As tensions simmer across the Red Sea corridor, the UAE’s firm rejection of the Port Sudan Authority could well influence how other nations navigate similar challenges—with law, not sentiment, as their compass.