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Why Canadian Muslims and Sudanese Canadians must mobilize and demand accountability from their elected officials
11-26-2025
Canada often celebrates itself as a defender of human rights, peacekeeping, and rule of law. Yet the realities of our arms export practices tell a more complicated story—one that Canadians can no longer ignore, especially as the war in Sudan spirals into one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time.
Canada has consistently exported hundreds of millions of dollars in military goods to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states. These transfers raise serious concerns because of mounting evidence that UAE-supplied weapons have ended up in regional proxy conflicts, including in Sudan, Libya, and Yemen.
What Canada Actually Sells, and to Whom
1. Canada's arms exports are real—and significant
According to Global Affairs Canada’s official reports:
Canada exported $2.12 billion in non-U.S. military goods in 2021.
The majority—about $1.7 billion—went to Saudi Arabia, primarily armored vehicles.
The UAE regularly appears in the top ten Canadian military export destinations, with exports ranging from tens of millions to over $100 million annually, depending on the year.
2. Arms types: What Canada exports
Canadian exports to the Gulf include:
Armoured vehicle technology
Fire-control systems
Optical targeting equipment
Aircraft components
Dual-use technologies with military applications
3. UAE’s role in Sudan is documented
Multiple UN reports document that:
The UAE has supplied weapons and logistical support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia fighting Sudan’s national army.
UN experts report a UAE-run supply chain through Chad providing military materiel to RSF fighters.
This support is cited as a major factor prolonging the conflict and intensifying atrocities.
Over 8 million Sudanese have been displaced, and famine-like conditions are expanding.
This is the core ethical problem: arms exported to a state involved in proxy wars risk being diverted—even if Canada does not directly send weapons to Sudan.
Canada’s Legal Obligations—And Where They Are Failing
Canada is a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and its own Export and Import Permits Act requires:
No export when there is a “substantial risk” the arms could contribute to violations of international humanitarian law.
But Canada’s threshold for “substantial risk” remains vague and inconsistently applied.
In 2020, Canada paused arms exports to Turkey after concerns about Canadian camera systems being used in drones in the Nagorno-Karabakh war—but no similar action has been taken regarding the UAE, despite repeated UN findings linking the UAE to destabilizing activities.
This inconsistency raises the question:
Are commercial contracts outweighing Canada’s human rights obligations?
Why This Matters to Canadian Muslims and Sudanese Canadians
Canadian Muslims have long advocated for foreign policies grounded in justice, humanitarian protection, and international law. The Sudan crisis is not distant—it is deeply personal to thousands of Sudanese families in Canada whose loved ones are trapped in a conflict exacerbated by foreign weapons.
The moral responsibility is clear:
Canadian Muslims and Sudanese Canadians cannot stay silent while Canadian-exported technologies risk enabling states that fuel conflicts killing Muslim civilians in Khartoum, Darfur, and beyond.
The Prophet ? PBUH teaches: “Whoever sees a wrong and can stop it with his hand, let him do so…”
Advocacy is that form of intervention for Canadian citizens.
What Canadians Must Demand Now
Canada must reform its arms-export regime in four concrete ways.
1. Full Transparency of Exports to the UAE
Canadians deserve:
A detailed public breakdown of all military exports to the UAE over the past 10 years
A risk assessment outlining whether exported items could be diverted to Sudan
This transparency is currently not provided in sufficient detail.
2. Application of the “Substantial Risk” Standard
If UN evidence continues to show UAE support for RSF forces:
Canada must pause arms exports to the UAE until the risk of diversion is independently assessed.
This is consistent with Canada’s obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty.
3. Stronger Oversight and Parliamentary Review
There should be:
Mandatory parliamentary committee reviews of arms exports to countries involved in regional conflicts
Greater public reporting
Independent audits of diversion risks
Canada cannot rely solely on internal Global Affairs assessments.
4. A Diplomatic Strategy Focused on Sudanese Civilian Protection
Canada must:
Increase humanitarian assistance to Sudan
Push for accountability for atrocities
Support African Union and regional diplomacy
Apply sanctions where appropriate—regardless of trade implications
Sudanese civilians deserve more than statements—they deserve action.
What Canadian Muslims & Sudanese Canadians Can Do
Civic engagement is not optional. It is a duty.
1. Contact Your Member of Parliament
Ask your MP:
What steps is Canada taking to ensure Canadian arms are not contributing to the Sudan conflict?
Will Canada commit to transparent reporting on exports to the UAE?
Will Canada support sanctions on entities supplying weapons to Sudanese militias?
2. Build Coalitions
Mosques, community organizations, and Sudanese associations should:
Issue joint statements
Hold town halls
Brief MPs collectively
Coordinate with human rights NGOs
Unity creates political weight.
3. Use Media Platforms
Write op-eds, call into radio shows, and raise awareness on social media.
4. Support Sudanese Humanitarian Efforts
Donate to vetted NGOs operating in Sudan and neighboring countries.
5. Demand Ethical Foreign Policy From All Parties
Muslim and Sudanese votes matter.
MPs will listen—if communities speak with one voice.
Canada Must Live Up to Its Principles
Canada presents itself as a defender of peace, yet its arms exports risk contributing—indirectly but tangibly—to human suffering in Sudan. As the death toll rises and displacement reaches catastrophic levels, silence is complicity.
If Canada wishes to stand for human rights, its actions must reflect that commitment.
And if elected officials fail to act, it is the responsibility of Canadian Muslims, Sudanese Canadians, and all citizens to hold them accountable.
Canada must decide:
Will its weapons fuel wars, or will its values guide its foreign policy?
The answer depends on what Canadians demand—together.
Footnotes: Footnotes: Picure courtesy: Mike Morrice for Kitchener
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