What’s going on
Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since April 2023, primarily between the country’s regular army (the Sudanese Armed Forces or SAF) and the paramilitary force known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has triggered a major humanitarian catastrophe—with tens of thousands killed, millions displaced, and large-scale destruction of infrastructure.
Amid this turmoil, the UAE is increasingly cited as a key external actor. Officially it denies direct interference, but a growing body of media, expert and intelligence reports suggest deeper strategic involvement.
Why the UAE is involved
Here are the major drivers behind the UAE’s interest in Sudan:
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Gold and mineral resources: Sudan is rich in minerals and primary commodities, including gold, and the UAE has become one of the largest buyers of Sudanese gold exports. This trade feeds into UAE’s role as a global gold hub and indirectly supports clients in the conflict.
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Agriculture and land-use / “food security”: With very limited arable land and heavy dependence on imports, the UAE has invested in farmland and agricultural projects abroad—including in Sudan—to secure food and feed supplies.
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Strategic ports and the Red Sea region: Sudan’s coast on the Red Sea and its potential for port infrastructure make it geopolitically attractive to the UAE, which seeks to expand its maritime reach and influence over trade routes.
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Proxy warfare & regional politics: The UAE apparently backs the RSF (which opposes the SAF) as part of larger Gulf and regional power contests, including countering Islamist political forces, securing leverage in Africa, and extending influence.
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Military/logistical linkages: There are credible allegations that the UAE provides arms, drones, logistics and financial backing to the RSF and uses transit routes via Chad, Libya or other regional bases.
Implications and Controversies
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Sudan has accused the UAE of violating its sovereignty and contributing to the prolongation of conflict.
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The civil war has morphed into a regional proxy war, and foreign actors like the UAE make peace harder to achieve.
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The economic exploitation of resources (gold, land) raises ethical issues and deepens conflict-economy dynamics.
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There are risks of the region destabilising further—spill-over into neighbouring countries, worsening humanitarian crisis, arms proliferation.
What to watch
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Whether the UAE will reduce or end its alleged support for RSF under international pressure.
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How Sudan’s transitional process (if any) deals with foreign interference and resource control.
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The fate of major projects in Sudan (ports, farming, mining) linked to UAE interests.
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Legal and diplomatic outcomes: Sudan has filed cases/exerted diplomatic pressure against the UAE in international fora.
Final Thought
The UAE’s involvement in Sudan’s civil war is far from a simple case of humanitarian assistance. Rather, it reflects a complex mixture of strategic, economic and geopolitical motives—resource extraction, land-use, maritime access and regional power positioning. For Sudan, this means that its domestic conflict has been amplified by external interests, making resolution and lasting peace more elusive.
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