ALBAWABA- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived at the White House on Monday, marking his official visit to the United States.
This visit, a historic first for an Emirati president since the UAE's founding in 1971, comes against the backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza, civil conflict in Sudan, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
During his time in Washington, Sheikh Mohamed will hold separate meetings with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Discussions will focus on strengthening the deep, long-standing ties between the UAE and the US.
The leaders will explore opportunities to expand their strategic partnership in key sectors such as trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, space, energy, and climate action.
Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, highlighted the significance of this visit in a media briefing, noting its importance in showcasing the enduring UAE-US relationship, which spans over five decades.
He emphasized that economic and technological cooperation would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of bilateral relations.
However, MBZ's visit to the US comes amid growing criticism of the UAE's role in the Sudanese conflict. The Sudanese Sovereignty Council has repeatedly accused the UAE of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against the legitimate government.
Reports have emerged alleging that the UAE has armed and backed the RSF, commissioning thousands of mercenaries to fight against the Sudanese government.
Concerns have also been raised about potential massacres and war crimes committed by the UAE-backed RSF, as reported by The New York Times.
