The UAE tries hard to keep its reputation spotless. But with the war in Sudan, how can it? | Nesrine Malik
The United Arab Emirates is under growing international pressure for allegedly arming Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a militia accused of genocide. Human rights groups and Western governments are demanding sanctions, while the UAE denies involvement. The situation reflects deeper regional ambitions…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has long been portrayed as a model of modernity and business acumen in the Gulf, but recent revelations suggest a darker side to its foreign policy. Allegations that the UAE has supplied weapons, drones and financial backing to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – a militia responsible for widespread ethnic cleansing and sexual violence – have sparked a wave of international scrutiny.
Sudan’s Civil War and the RSF’s Atrocities
In April 2023, a power struggle erupted between the Sudanese army and the RSF, a paramilitary group that has been linked to the infamous Janjaweed. The conflict quickly spiraled into a full‑blown civil war, with the RSF accused of targeting non‑Arab communities in western Sudan. A United Nations fact‑finding mission described the RSF’s campaign as “the hallmarks of genocide.”
Evidence now points to the UAE as a key supporter of the RSF. Reports indicate that the UAE has shipped arms and drones to the militia via Chad, and has backed Colombian mercenaries that provide tactical support. These activities have been documented by multiple credible sources, including a UN panel of experts on Sudan.
International Calls for Accountability
Human rights organisation FairSquare has urged the UK Foreign Office to investigate Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and owner of Manchester City. The complaint cites “an abundance of evidence” that the UAE has supplied weapons to the RSF since June 2023. If sanctioned, Mansour could face disqualification from owning a Premier League club under UK rules.
In a parallel move, two US congressmen – co‑chairs of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission – have written to major American sports leagues and Disney, demanding they sever ties with the UAE. Their letter accuses the UAE of “abetting genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing” in Sudan and calls for a moral stance from Western institutions.
UAE’s Defensive Posture and Regional Ambitions
Despite mounting evidence, the UAE maintains a stance of neutrality, a position that has so far shielded it from direct sanctions. The country’s response to a 2024 UN‑sponsored meeting where a Sudanese representative accused it of supporting the RSF was to cancel ministerial meetings with Britain, labeling the allegations as defamation.
Beyond Sudan, the UAE’s foreign policy has involved backing separatist groups in Yemen, supporting Libya’s General Khalifa Haftar, and forging a normalisation pact with Israel. The UAE’s strategic focus on securing ports along the Red Sea and controlling gold flows from Sudan illustrates its broader goal of building an “archipelago of influence” in Africa and the Middle East.
Implications for Western Allies
The UAE’s ties to the United States and the United Kingdom complicate the response. Both countries have benefited from UAE investment – from multibillion‑dollar joint ventures to a $500 million stake in a Trump family cryptocurrency venture. While the UK and US have sanctioned RSF leadership and UAE‑based companies linked to the militia, they have stopped short of naming the UAE itself as a sponsor.
Calls for a more transparent approach are growing louder. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has urged the world not to ignore Sudan, yet successive governments have largely avoided naming the UAE’s role. The current pressure signals a potential shift in how the West addresses state sponsorship of conflict.
What’s Next?
As investigations into Sheikh Mansour and other UAE officials progress, the international community faces a dilemma: balancing geopolitical interests with human rights accountability. The outcome of these inquiries could redefine the UAE’s global standing and set a precedent for how states are held responsible for indirect involvement in conflict.
For now, the UAE’s reputation as a clean‑image Gulf state is under threat, and the world watches to see whether the country will face the consequences of its alleged support for Sudan’s most brutal militia.
Why it matters
The allegations against the UAE highlight how state actors can influence conflicts abroad, raising questions about accountability and the role of powerful allies in international law enforcement.
Key points
- UAE allegedly supplies weapons to Sudan’s RSF militia
- Human rights groups and US lawmakers demand sanctions
- The UAE defends itself as neutral, yet evidence mounts
- Western allies have financial ties to the UAE, complicating responses
- Sudan’s civil war has seen genocide‑level atrocities
- The UAE’s regional ambitions extend beyond the Gulf
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)?
The RSF is a Sudanese paramilitary group that has been linked to widespread ethnic cleansing and sexual violence during the 2023 civil war.
Why is the UAE accused of supporting the RSF?
Evidence shows the UAE has supplied arms, drones and financial backing to the RSF, and has facilitated the movement of Colombian mercenaries to Sudan.
What actions have Western governments taken?
The UK and US have sanctioned RSF leaders and UAE‑linked companies, while human rights groups are calling for sanctions against UAE officials such as Sheikh Mansour.
How does this affect the UAE’s global image?
The allegations threaten the UAE’s reputation as a modern, neutral Gulf state, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and sanctions.
