UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh faces rights‑group opposition over Sudan funding claims

Rights organisations question Lana Nusseibeh’s UN candidacy amid accusations that the UAE finances Sudan’s paramilitary forces.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 28 Oct 2026 10:04:07 GMT

Human‑rights groups on Tuesday urged UN member states to reject Emirati diplomat Lana Zaki Nusseibeh’s bid for secretary‑general, citing alleged United Arab Emirates financing of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The appeal came as Nusseibeh announced a leave of absence from her ministerial post to respect the independence required of the role.

What happened

On 27 Oct 2026 the United Nations held an interactive dialogue with Nusseibeh at the Trusteeship Council Chamber in New York, where she outlined a vision for a “strong, renewed” UN that is more responsive to young people. The following day, several human‑rights organisations publicly called on countries to reject her candidacy, referencing the UAE’s alleged funding of the RSF in Sudan’s war that began in 2023.

What the reports add

France 24 reported that the groups’ criticism centres on the UAE’s alleged financing of the RSF, an accusation the Emirati government denies. The outlet quoted Human Rights Watch head Ken Roth, who called Nusseibeh “utterly inappropriate” for the job and said she repeatedly denied the UAE’s role in arming the RSF. Gulf News, meanwhile, detailed Nusseibeh’s background, noting she is backed by all six Gulf Cooperation Council states and would be the first woman and first Gulf national to lead the UN if elected. Gulf News also described her leave of absence from her ministerial post as a step to be “mindful of the obligations of independence.”

What was said

Ken Roth, head of Human Rights Watch, told journalists to France 24, “I think that Lana Nusseibeh is utterly inappropriate as a candidate for UN Secretary General… she just blatantly denies it without regard to the facts.” Gulf News reported Nusseibeh saying she had taken “a leave of absence from my post as a minister of the UAE” to be “mindful of the obligations of independence” and added that “the horrific conflict in Sudan will be the litmus test of the success of an incoming Secretary General.”

How it came about

Earlier this month, Felo News covered the broader Sudan conflict, including a drone strike blamed on the RSF that killed 41 displaced people (rsf-drone-strike-sudan) and the UN Human Rights Council’s call for an unconditional ceasefire (un-human-rights-council-sudan-ceasefire). Those reports highlighted the humanitarian stakes that rights groups now cite as a test for any future UN secretary‑general.

Key facts

Human‑rights groups urged UN members to reject Lana Nusseibeh’s candidacy over alleged UAE financing of Sudan’s RSF. (france24.com)
Nusseibeh announced a leave of absence from her UAE ministerial post to respect the independence of the UN secretary‑general role. (gulfnews.com)
Ken Roth of Human Rights Watch called Nusseibeh “utterly inappropriate” for the UN chief position. (france24.com)
All six GCC states publicly backed Nusseibeh’s bid for UN secretary‑general. (gulfnews.com)

Where accounts differ

Allegation of UAE financing of the RSF versus UAE denial: UAE is alleged to have financed paramilitary forces in Sudan. (france24.com); The UAE denies involvement in Sudan’s war. (gulfnews.com)