UAE presidential advisor praises Trump plan to designate Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist group

The diplomatic advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Dr Anwar Gargash, described US President Donald Trump’s move to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation as a “strategic, courageous and historic decision”.

In comments to CNN on Tuesday, Gargash said the proposed designation tackles “one of the main roots of extremism”, arguing that the organisation and its affiliates “manipulate the narrative by using Islam as a political tool”.

He added that the classification would limit the Muslim Brotherhood’s influence, particularly regarding its ability “to control mosques, and to finance and organise”.

Gargash claimed there was an “organic” link between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Muslim Brotherhood, saying that “some of the main fighting forces” within Sudan’s army during the three-year civil war were brigades aligned with the group that sought to “reassert themselves and return to power”.

Commenting on the conflict in Sudan, he said the UAE’s position is based on “supporting an unconditional humanitarian ceasefire and a transition to civilian rule”. He noted that the UAE is the second-largest provider of humanitarian assistance to Sudan after the United States and intends to increase its support.

Gargash dismissed allegations that Abu Dhabi has supplied military or political backing to the Rapid Support Forces, insisting that the UAE’s priority is safeguarding Sudan’s unity and stability and preventing the rise of groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood.