Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ is facing criticism for the inclusion of countries which undermine human rights, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) have expressed their concern about the joining of the board by Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, a UAE government official and chairman of Manchester City Football Club.
The human rights watchdog has highlighted the country’s involvement in Sudan's civil war, providing military and financial backing to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, who are in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces.
The RSF have been responsible for a “calculated campaign of the most profound suffering”, according to the International Criminal Court, targeting non-Arab communities with rape, arbitrary detention, executions and the creation of mass graves.
CSW’s Sudan desk officer, Sarah, told Premier Christian News the board and the UAE's involvement could “undermine human rights and international peace and security".
“There is growing evidence showing the UAE coordinating with the leadership of the RSF sending financial and military support," she said.
“There have been reports around the coordination of mercenaries, particularly Colombian mercenaries, that are being taken to the UAE and being sent to train to train the RSF and their affiliated militia."
Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, a UAE government official and chairman of Manchester City Football Club, was inaugurated on the peace council with Trump during a ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Sarah believes this raises questions for the Premier League, with CSW having started its own campaign for the league to hold Man City president and UAE vice-president Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to account.
The board’s remit to support peace in Gaza has been expanded by Trump to “forge a beautiful, everlasting and glorious peace for that region and for the whole region of the world".
Questions have therefore been raised about its terms of governance and transparency.
“The individuals that have joined the group so far, many of them, including the UAE, have questions to answer in terms of their own records on human rights,” Sarah added.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has been invited to join. Countries that have accepted the offer include Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The UK has rejected the offer to join, but former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be part of the executive board.