Sudan Withdraws from UN Tourism Assembly in Protest Against UAE Nominee

Sudan has withdrawn from the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in protest against the nomination of Emirati candidate Sheikha Nasser Al Nuaimi for the post of Secretary-General.

The Sudanese delegation, led by Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism Khalid Al-Eisir, exited the session immediately after delivering Sudan’s address, boycotting the subsequent voting process.

According to the Sudanese News Agency (SUNA), the decision was made to reaffirm Sudan’s “firm rejection” of the appointment of a UNWTO president from the United Arab Emirates, citing political and ethical concerns.

In his speech, Minister Al-Eisir condemned the systematic destruction of Sudan’s tourism infrastructure, blaming it on attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group he accused of being backed by “regional and foreign powers.” He said such interference had “fueled the war machine that devastated the livelihoods and heritage of the Sudanese people,” despite the country’s vast tourism potential, including ancient civilizations, cultural landmarks, and natural reserves.

While reiterating Sudan’s protest, Al-Eisir expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s leadership and people for hosting the assembly and for their continued support amid Sudan’s ongoing conflict. He stressed that Sudan’s participation in international platforms aims to “convey the truth of its struggle” and rally global solidarity for its “just causes.”

The withdrawal underscores the growing regional tension surrounding the conflict in Sudan, where the RSF and the national army remain locked in a brutal power struggle; one that Khartoum accuses certain Gulf states, including the UAE, of exacerbating through indirect support.