The United Nations has accused foreign powers of exacerbating Sudan’s civil war, making peace increasingly elusive. Since April 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has plunged the country into chaos. At its core, the war stems from two generals vying for dominance after a failed political transition. Yet, this domestic strife has taken on alarming regional and international dimensions, with foreign actors – notably the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – playing pivotal roles in prolonging the violence.
Why is peace elusive in Sudan?
Sudan’s descent into war has triggered one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. Once envisioned as Africa’s breadbasket due to its vast agricultural potential, the nation is now teetering on the edge of famine. The UN refugee agency reports over 7 million internally displaced persons, nearly 2 million refugees in neighbouring countries, and 25 million people in dire need of humanitarian aid. Furthermore, over 20,000 deaths have been recorded since the conflict erupted.
Efforts to broker peace have repeatedly failed. Regional powers and neighbouring nations have aligned themselves with the warring factions. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the SAF has garnered support from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, while General Mohamed “Hemedti” Dagalo of the RSF is backed by the UAE, Libya, and Russia. The involvement of foreign powers has intensified the conflict, with arms smuggled through Libya, Chad, and the Central African Republic in violation of UN embargoes.
UAE’s strategic role in the Sudan conflict
The UAE has emerged as one of the most influential foreign players in Sudan’s war. Viewing Sudan as a strategically located, resource-rich nation, the UAE has heavily invested in the country to expand its geopolitical and economic clout. Since 2018, Abu Dhabi has channelled over US$6 billion into Sudan, funding projects such as agriculture, banking, and port construction on the Red Sea.
The UAE’s alignment with the RSF has drawn significant attention. Sudanese fighters, primarily from the RSF, have been recruited and funded by the UAE to participate in its conflicts, including the war in Yemen. Moreover, Abu Dhabi has been accused of supplying arms and ammunition to the RSF, despite its denials. These logistical operations, often disguised as humanitarian aid, are reportedly facilitated through UAE networks in neighbouring African countries.
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The UAE’s actions are part of a broader foreign policy strategy that leverages local forces to safeguard Emirati interests across the Middle East and east Africa. Alongside Russia’s Wagner Group, the UAE has supported the RSF in its operations, especially in gold-rich regions like Darfur. This alliance has enabled the UAE to dominate Sudan’s gold trade, with much of the smuggled gold laundered through the UAE and integrated into global markets. In 2022 alone, the UAE officially imported Sudanese precious metals worth approximately US$2.3 billion.
Agricultural ambitions and the red sea
The UAE’s dependency on imported food has driven its investments in Sudanese farmlands. Emirati firms are cultivating over 50,000 hectares of farmland in northern Sudan, with plans to expand. To facilitate agricultural exports, the UAE signed an agreement in 2022 to develop a new Red Sea port operated by Abu Dhabi Ports Group, bypassing Sudanese government-controlled infrastructure. The RSF has played a crucial role in securing these Emirati ventures.
Breaking the deadlock
The international community’s response to Sudan’s crisis has been inadequate. Despite the worsening humanitarian situation, little has been done to curb foreign interference. The UN Security Council has failed to act on credible evidence implicating the UAE in fuelling the conflict. Meanwhile, human rights organisations have accused the RSF of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, yet the UAE continues to operate without accountability.
Without decisive action from the global community, Sudan risks spiralling further into catastrophe. Addressing the role of foreign actors, including the UAE, is critical to halting the violence. Failing this, the world could face the repercussions of Sudan’s implosion for decades to come.
Sudan’s war is not just a regional crisis; it is a test of international resolve to protect human rights and maintain peace. As long as foreign powers prioritise profit and influence over stability, the people of Sudan will remain trapped in a devastating cycle of war and displacement.
