Concerns Arise Over UAE’s Role in Trump’s Board of Peace Amid Allegations of Human Rights Violations
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The inclusion of the United Arab Emirates in President Donald Trump’s new international peacebuilding initiative, the Board of Peace, is facing scrutiny due to allegations of the UAE’s involvement in Sudan’s conflict. Critics claim that the board might weaken global legal frameworks by failing to address the accountability of its members.
The UK-based organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has highlighted the controversial participation of Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, who represents the UAE on the board. The UAE is accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese militia engaged in the nation’s civil war with the Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023.
This ongoing conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian crises, with over 150,000 fatalities, more than 13 million people displaced, and 30 million in need of aid, according to international estimates.
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, who also chairs Manchester City Football Club, holds significant positions within the UAE government. His role in the Board of Peace has caused unease, particularly in the UK, where public campaigns against UAE-linked club ownership are underway.
CSW has launched a petition calling on the English Premier League to investigate potential abuses linked to Manchester City’s ownership. This petition, which implicates UAE Vice-President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, garnered over 1,000 signatures in its first week.
CSW’s Director of Advocacy, Khataza Gondwe, voiced concerns about the contradiction between the UAE’s actions in Sudan and its role in peacebuilding efforts. “It is rather duplicitous of the UAE to be investing in international peacebuilding whilst it continues to fuel the conflict in Sudan,” Gondwe noted, emphasizing the need for accountability among club owners involved in human rights violations.
The Trump administration characterizes the Board of Peace as a temporary governance structure for post-war Gaza. Formally authorized by the UN Security Council in November 2025, the board’s mandate includes governance, reconstruction, and investment in the region.
President Trump leads the board, with influential figures such as Jared Kushner, Marco Rubio, and Tony Blair on its executive committee. The board aims to foster stability and peace in conflict-affected areas.
The UAE quickly accepted Trump’s invitation to join the board, alongside leaders from Russia, Belarus, and Hungary, as reported by Politico. The UAE’s foreign ministry stated that its participation aligns with Trump’s Gaza peace plan, part of a broader strategy under the Abraham Accords.
Emmanuel Macron, France’s President, declined the invitation to join, citing potential conflicts with UN processes. Trump’s response included threats of tariffs and political predictions.
While the board embarks on its peacebuilding mission, the inclusion of countries accused of human rights abuses remains contentious. Critics argue it might undermine established international norms on war crimes and political repression.
ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan has described the RSF’s actions in Sudan as a “calculated campaign of the most profound suffering,” involving mass graves, sexual violence, and targeted executions.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
