Khartoum, Sudan — As Sudan’s devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) nears its two-year mark, international scrutiny is mounting over the role of foreign actors, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in prolonging the conflict. While the United States recently imposed sanctions on both factions’ leaders, Sudanese activists argue that external involvement—especially from the UAE—remains a critical factor in sustaining the war.
U.S. Sanctions Both Sides but Avoids UAE’s Role
In January 2025, the Biden administration formally declared that the RSF and allied militias had committed genocide in Sudan, imposing sanctions on RSF leader Mohamed “Hemedti” Dagalo and several RSF-linked companies. One week later, the U.S. also sanctioned SAF commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, marking the first time Washington had penalized both warring factions.
However, despite mounting evidence of the UAE’s involvement in supplying arms to the RSF, the U.S. has avoided directly confronting Abu Dhabi over its role in the conflict. The Sudanese government has formally accused the UAE at the United Nations Security Council, citing reports of UAE-manufactured weapons in RSF-controlled areas and alleged arms shipments via UAE-linked cargo flights.
“The UAE has played a central role in arming the RSF in exchange for Sudanese gold and resources,” said Noon Elsaeyed, a Sudanese organizer with the Sudanese Resistance Front (SuRF). “Despite clear evidence, Western powers continue to ignore this reality due to their strategic ties with the UAE.”
Foreign Powers Deeply Entwined in Sudan Conflict
The war, which erupted in April 2023, has devastated Sudan, forcing millions to flee and plunging the country into one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history. The conflict stems from a power struggle between the SAF, Sudan’s official military, and the RSF, a paramilitary force that evolved from the Janjaweed militias, notorious for their role in the Darfur genocide.
Though both factions have committed widespread human rights abuses, international actors have taken differing stances in their support.
- The SAF has received backing from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia.
- The RSF has been heavily supported by the UAE, with reports of arms shipments and gold trade fueling its operations.
Despite the UAE’s repeated denials, Sudanese activists have called for greater international action to hold Abu Dhabi accountable.
Activists Launch Campaigns Against UAE’s Involvement
Sudanese activists, particularly in the diaspora, have launched boycott campaigns targeting UAE-linked institutions and are advocating for a People’s Arms Embargo—a grassroots effort aimed at disrupting the flow of weapons fueling the war.
“The Sudanese people cannot afford to wait for governments to act,” said Mazen Alsafi, an organizer and independent filmmaker. “We are mobilizing direct action at ports and embassies, targeting arms shipments and holding the UAE accountable for its role in this war.”
Activists have also targeted institutions with ties to the UAE, including New York University (NYU), which has a heavily UAE-funded Abu Dhabi campus. The campaign urges NYU to divest from partnerships with the UAE, accusing it of enabling a government that bankrolls war and repression.
A Prolonged Crisis with No Clear Resolution
While the SAF’s recent recapture of Wad Madani was celebrated by some Sudanese civilians as an end to RSF brutality in the city, many activists warn that it does not represent a true liberation.
“The SAF and RSF are two sides of the same coin—both have histories of violence, corruption, and oppression,” said Salome Ayuak, a Sudanese activist. “Real peace will only come when we dismantle Sudan’s militarized power structures and support civilian-led governance.”
As the war continues, millions of Sudanese civilians remain caught in the crossfire, with growing fears of widespread famine and economic collapse. While the U.S. sanctions mark an important symbolic step, activists argue that holding all foreign actors accountable, including the UAE, is essential for achieving a just and lasting peace.
