continued…… Butenga characterized Europe's role as "very big", revealing that until recently, naming the UAE in European political halls was "absolutely taboo". He noted that despite an official arms embargo (for the Darfur region of western Sudan), European-made weapons continue to arrive in Sudan, while EU member states deepen military alliances with the United Arab Emirates. Butanga drew specific attention to RSF atrocities in al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state, where the UAE-backed militia has committed massacres that the United Nations has described as genocide. "[Europe's] responsibility is to say: 'Listen, guys, we're not going to cooperate militarily with countries that fund the worst crimes imaginable,'" he said. Butanga further detailed how the war is driven by foreign corporate interests seeking Sudan's vast gold reserves and agricultural lands. He then concluded with a scathing criticism of diplomatic bluster on the part of Western leaders who mourn the crisis while maintaining partnerships with the country that perpetuates it. "Just denouncing it and saying 'we're so sad about what's happening in Sudan' won't cut it," Butenga said.