Rights groups push back against UAE's Lana Nusseibeh UN chief bid over Sudan allegations

Human rights groups have urged countries to reject the bid by United Arab Emirates diplomat Lana Nusseibeh to become the next United Nations secretary-general, citing allegations that Abu Dhabi funds Sudan's Rapid Support Forces. The criticism comes as the campaign for the UN's top job begins to take shape and as scrutiny grows over the independence expected of candidates. Nusseibeh, 48, is seeking to become the first woman to lead the organisation and only the second Arab to hold the post.

The objections were voiced on Tuesday by rights advocates who said Nusseibeh should not be considered suitable for the role because of the UAE's alleged involvement in Sudan's war. Human Rights Watch's Ken Roth said she was "utterly inappropriate" as a candidate, arguing that she had repeatedly been questioned about the UAE's role in arming and supporting the RSF and had denied the allegations. Kate Ferguson, co-director of the British group Protection Approaches, also said she had not seen sufficient evidence that the candidate was independent from the state she represents.

Nusseibeh said on Tuesday that she had taken a leave of absence from her post as a minister of the UAE in order to be mindful of the independence the role would require. She also said the conflict in Sudan would be the "litmus test" for the success of any incoming secretary-general. The UAE denies the accusations that it has financed the RSF, which has been fighting Sudan's army since 2023.

The dispute matters because the secretary-general is expected to act independently from national governments, even though candidates are nominated by their home states. That expectation is central to the credibility of the United Nations, particularly at a time when the organisation is dealing with major conflicts and divisions among member states. Nusseibeh's candidacy has already drawn support from some Gulf states, but it has also revived debate over the UAE's foreign policy and its normalisation with Israel.

Nusseibeh is a seasoned diplomat who served as the UAE's permanent representative to the United Nations from 2013 to 2024, becoming the first woman to hold that post. Her bid comes against the backdrop of Sudan's war, which has created one of the world's most serious humanitarian crises and has drawn repeated international concern. The allegations against the UAE remain politically sensitive because they touch on the wider question of external backing for armed actors in the conflict.

What remains unclear is how much support Nusseibeh will secure as the selection process develops and whether the criticism will affect her standing among member states. It is also not clear whether the allegations surrounding the UAE's role in Sudan will become a central issue in the contest or remain one of several diplomatic concerns. For now, the campaign is likely to be judged not only on experience and regional backing, but also on questions of independence and the war in Sudan.

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