Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Abu Dhabi for a week-long trip aimed at strengthening economic ties and pursuing cooperation on technologies such as artificial intelligence. The visit comes at a politically sensitive moment, as the United Arab Emirates faces growing accusations of supporting forces implicated in genocidal violence in Sudan—allegations the UAE strongly denies.

Carney’s trip marks the first visit by a sitting Canadian prime minister to the UAE since 1983. Emirati officials have opted not to hold a press conference and have barred media from bilateral meetings, an uncommon decision during high-level foreign visits.

This week’s meetings will focus on attracting investments from Emirati sovereign wealth funds and private-sector partners to help diversify Canada’s economy amid ongoing U.S. trade tensions.

International pressure on the UAE has intensified in recent weeks. Human-rights groups, a United Nations expert panel and U.S. officials have linked the Emirates to the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces, a militia accused of committing ethnic massacres in Darfur. The UAE has rejected all allegations.

The civil war between Sudan’s army and the RSF began in April 2023. The RSF evolved from the Janjaweed militia responsible for the first Darfur genocide between 2003 and 2005.
Both sides have obstructed humanitarian aid, contributing to the world’s largest displacement crisis.

Carney is expected to meet Emirati officials on Thursday and Friday before traveling to South Africa for the G20 summit.سفر کارنی به امارات همزمان با اتهام نقش ابوظبی در سودان