This Breakthrough Can Stop US Arms
Sales to the UAE — and End War in Sudan
Win Without War

(January 3, 2025) — The civil war in Sudan is driving one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of our time. Violence has displaced 12 million people. Famine was confirmed last year. Meanwhile, the US government has continued striking lucrative new arms deals with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has helped the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fuel the devastation.

But a bright spot is emerging that could force the United States to stop ignoring the UAE’s complicity in this crisis. Due to a bold effort to block US weapons sales to the UAE from Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Sara Jacobs in the last Congress, the White House is now taking belated steps to assess whether the United Arab Emirates is providing — and assure that it will not provide — weapons to the RSF.

This is what can happen when lawmakers work to prioritize peace over profit. But the sad reality is that assurances may not be enough — and we’ll need members of Congress to keep up the pressure to ensure US weapons no longer end up in the hands of human rights-abusing governments like the UAE, Israel, Egypt, India, and more.

That’s where you come in: When we push, lawmakers listen. Recent efforts to halt deadly weapons sales to the UAE are proof that grassroots pressure works. And with a new Congress just beginning, this is the moment to renew the call.

ACTION: We need more voices in Congress willing to push for accountability. Sign now to demand Congress block deadly US weapons sales to the UAE and work to end violence in Sudan now!

It’s time for the US government to take human rights abuses seriously and hold its allies accountable.

The bombs and bullets sold in our name have had devastating consequences: they’re used by oppressive governments to kill their own people, have been sold on the black market in Yemen, wound up in the hands of the Taliban, and created incomprehensible levels of suffering in Gaza. That’s not all: Every new sale to the UAE sends a clear signal to human rights-abusing governments that there won’t be any consequences for their deadly and destabilizing actions.

Enough is enough. The US government can’t keep arming entire regions of the world and expect a peaceful outcome.

At moments like this, it’s hard to remember we can make a difference. Here’s where we’ll be brutally honest: We can’t promise we’ll get the changes we need, as fast as we want. The thing we can guarantee? The horrific violence and suffering we’re witnessing will only continue if people like us do nothing.

In fact, with Trump returning to office in the coming days, the situations everywhere from Sudan to Kashmir, Gaza and beyond could get even worse as more US weapons go to the highest bidder, no matter the cost to human rights or justice.

The thing is, Trump and President Biden don’t have the last say, especially if members of Congress know that people are paying close attention and continuing to push the US government to use its influence for good.

ACTION: Activists — constituents — can help build the pressure necessary. That’s why Congress needs to hear from you today. Sign on to stop US arms sales that fuel suffering in Sudan and beyond.

THE LETTER

To members of the 119th Congress:
The US government must hold its allies accountable and use its influence for good. As the 119th Congress gets underway, I urge you to challenge the Emirati government’s complicity in Sudan’s catastrophe and be ready to use arms sales as leverage to halt any support to the Rapid Support Forces there. 

Thank you for working for peace,
The Win Without War team