Sky News Arabia, a UAE-owned media outlet, has ignited controversy after one of its reporters, Tsabih Mubarak, visited el-Fasher, Sudan, and met with a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) officer accused of inciting sexual violence against Sudanese women. Mubarak’s presence in the war-torn city, recently captured by the RSF, has drawn widespread criticism, particularly given the paramilitary group’s documented atrocities, including mass killings, rape, and assaults on civilians. Satellite imagery and survivor testimonies have corroborated these abuses, painting a grim picture of the RSF’s actions in el-Fasher. Mubarak’s social media posts, which included images and videos of her interactions with locals and an RSF officer, have further fueled the backlash. In one video, she is seen smiling and giving a thumbs-up alongside a female RSF commander, Shiraz Khalid, who has been accused of encouraging militiamen to rape women in other regions of Sudan. The RSF, accused of genocide against the Masalit community, has also been documented using racist slurs against Black people. Mubarak’s visit, which likely required RSF approval, has been condemned by Sudanese figures and social media users, with some calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take note. Sky News Arabia, a joint venture between the UK’s Sky Group and the UAE’s International Media Investments (IMI), has faced accusations of bias and complicity in the conflict. The UAE has been implicated in arming the RSF, with reports suggesting Emirati involvement in supplying weapons and establishing bases in Sudan. The ongoing war, which began in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 13 million people, with both the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) accused of war crimes.
Host for UAE’s Sky News Arabia hugs RSF officer accused of inciting rape in el-Fasher
