The UAE slammed Sudan's genocide-complicity case against it at the International Court of Justice as a "cynical publicity stunt" on Thursday and said it would seek to have it thrown out.
Sudan's filing argues that the oil-rich Gulf monarchy is complicit in genocide over its alleged support for Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
"The recent application... is nothing more than a cynical publicity stunt aimed at diverting attention from the established complicity of the Sudanese Armed Forces in the widespread atrocities that continue to devastate Sudan and its people," a UAE official said in a statement sent to AFP.
"The allegations presented by the SAF representative at the ICJ lack any legal or factual basis, representing yet another attempt to distract from this calamitous war," the official added.
"Out of respect for the International Court of Justice... the UAE will seek the immediate dismissal of this baseless application."
The Sudanese army has been fighting the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for nearly two years in a a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted more than 12 million.
The submission by Sudan's army-backed government accused the RSF of "genocide, murder, theft of property, rape, forcible displacement, trespassing, vandalism of public properties and violations of human rights".
It added that these acts were "perpetrated and enabled by the direct support given to the rebel RSF militia and related militia groups by the United Arab Emirates".
The UAE has repeatedly denied supporting the RSF and instead points to its humanitarian efforts in the country.
