Subcommittee on International Human Rights Committee on Oct. 1st, 2024

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you.

We've heard powerful testimony today about tens of millions of people in Sudan displaced, starving or already killed.

We must do more here in Canada. We need to hold all violators of human rights accountable, whether they're on the ground in Sudan itself or foreign enablers. We've heard that the Government of Canada has been behind on imposing sanctions, so it's critically important that we tighten those up and, in the process, hold foreign enablers accountable as well.

I want to draw your attention to one aspect of recent New York Times reporting: “While not admitting direct support to the R.S.F., Sheikh Mohammed said he owed the paramilitary group's leader, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, for sending troops to fight alongside the Emirates in the war in Yemen.” One way to think of the war in Sudan is that it's an extension of the war in Yemen with Iran and the UAE fighting for power and control. It seems, based on what I've read, that Iran would like resources in Sudan but also a strategic foothold, and that the UAE doesn't want Iran to have that strategic foothold. There are other relationships established in the context of the Yemen conflict that are spilling over.

Mr. Diamond, just very quickly, because I have limited time, what are your thoughts on that kind of frame and what does Iran want in Sudan specifically?

[Yonah Diamond]

I'll say that I'm not a geopolitical expert, so I won't try to address that, but I wouldn't say that it's only in terms of fighting over regional control. I think that the UAE is also exploiting this war for control of resources, including the very powerful gold trade. It's been involved militarily in Ethiopia, Tigray and also in Libya, where it backs the warlord Khalifa Haftar.

This new form of colonization.... It's the way they're exploiting Africa for its resources.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

You started to say something about “colonization”. It's a kind of colonization.

Do you think Iran is similarly motivated by this new colonial strategy of resource control?

[Yonah Diamond]

I won't say that I know as much about that side.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I want to ask about the Sudanese democracy movement. There was a lot of hope, including in the Sudanese diaspora here in Canada, about what could come about following the initial democratic revolution. What are the prospects for the democracy movement to be able to become a player in the country's politics again, and how can we specifically support the pursuit by the Sudanese people of a free and democratic future?

[France-Isabelle Langlois]

I don't know whom that question was for, but I can take a stab at it.

The movement has been completely demolished. In fact, the current conflict stems, among other things, from tensions over negotiations for a democratic transition. The hopes for a democratic transition are all but dashed right now.

This does not mean that the movement for democracy no longer exists, but rather that it no longer has the space it needs to be heard. That is why it is important to quickly find a negotiated diplomatic solution to the conflict, which would put the democratic transition on the table and promote the democratic movement in Sudan.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Just to put that together, then, your recommendation would be that the order of operations is denial of arms, a political solution and then the revivification of the democracy movement.

Are there things we can do in the meantime, though, to support the laying of groundwork by the democracy movement, so that they're in a stronger position when, hopefully, the conflict is brought to an end?

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Please answer in 20 seconds.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Ms. Langlois.

[France-Isabelle Langlois]

Yes, of course we need to continue to support civil society and the democratic movement in Sudan as much as possible. However, there must be a resolution to the conflict. States must stop arming Sudan and negotiate the transition.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Thank you, Mr. Genuis.

I would like to thank our witnesses for their time and for their good answers. The illustrations you gave to this committee, to all members, are highly appreciated. Thank you, and have a wonderful afternoon.

Would someone move to adjourn the meeting?

[A voice]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

The meeting is adjourned.