Archive · 6 Nov 2025
UAE Accused of Fueling Sudan Conflict Amid International Scrutiny
Imagine a big country, Sudan, is going through a terrible fight between two main groups.
One of these groups is called the RSF.
Some people are saying that a rich country called the UAE is secretly helping the RSF with money and weapons.
This help is making the fighting much worse, and it’s hard for peace to happen.
The UAE is accused of doing this because they have business interests in Sudan, like getting gold and having influence in the region.
Many people around the world, including in the US, are upset and are calling for the UAE to stop.
Even though the UAE denies directly helping the RSF, they have admitted that they made mistakes in how they handled Sudan in the past.
The fighting in Sudan has caused many people to leave their homes and is considered the world's biggest humanitarian problem.
If the fighting doesn't stop, Sudan might even break into separate parts.
The UAE is accused of being the primary backer of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), allegedly providing weapons and funds.
The conflict in Sudan has been designated the world's largest humanitarian crisis by the UN, with 13 million people displaced.
Accusations against the UAE include stalling peace efforts and playing a central role in the escalating civil war.
The UAE denies direct support to the RSF but acknowledges past policy 'mistakes' and the need to distance itself from the militia.
Sudan's potential partition is a looming threat if a resolution is not found, with the RSF having recently taken El Fasher.
- Who
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, with accusations from unnamed intelligence officers, Sky News, The Sunday Times, and the Financial Times.
- What
- The UAE is accused of stalling peace efforts and allegedly funding and supplying weapons to the RSF, escalating the civil war in Sudan which is recognized as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
- When
- Recent events include the RSF takeover of El Fasher. The conflict has intensified following a 2021 military coup. The UAE's role is under scrutiny by the US.
- Where
- Sudan, with specific mention of Darfur and Chad as transit points for alleged UAE support.
- Why
- The UAE is accused of having strategic interests in Sudan, including projecting power, accessing East Africa, and exploiting gold resources. The RSF leader's family has business ties to the UAE.
Accusations Against UAE
UAE's Stance/Denials
Support for RSF
Accusations Against UAE
The UAE is the 'main backer' of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), allegedly funnelling weapons and funds via planes to Darfur and Chad.
UAE's Stance/Denials
The UAE denies directly funding and supplying the RSF.
Impact on Peace Efforts
Accusations Against UAE
The UAE is accused of stalling peace efforts and has a central role in the 'metastasising civil war'.
UAE's Stance/Denials
The UAE has admitted that, in hindsight, it and others should have imposed sanctions after the 2021 military coup.
Strategic Interests
Accusations Against UAE
The UAE has vested interests in Sudan, seeing it as an 'arena' to project power, a gateway to east Africa, and a source of gold resources.
UAE's Stance/Denials
The UAE's diplomatic machine is admitting to 'mistakes' in its Sudan policy due to reputational damage, indicating a need to distance itself from the RSF.
- Conflict Designation
- World's largest humanitarian crisis (UN)
- Displaced Persons
- 13 million
- Accused Supporter of RSF
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Alleged RSF Support Methods
- Weapons and funds via air to Darfur and Chad
- RSF Leader
- Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti)
- Key Event
- RSF takeover of El Fasher
- Potential Consequence
- Partition of Sudan