Sudan’s War and Europe’s UAE Ties

War and displacement: Since April 2023, al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have fought Dagalo’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). At least 59,000 deaths have been recorded, likely an undercount. Over 14 million people have fled their homes, including more than four million abroad

Foreign backing: Egypt, Turkey and Iran support the SAF. The UAE allegedly backs the RSF, though it denies it. UN investigators identified RSF supply networks involving actors in Chad, Libya and Somalia

Gold and ports: Gold finances the war. Russia has cultivated ties across the conflict through gold and military interests while pursuing a Red Sea naval base at Port Sudan

EU pressure: The EU provides aid and bans imports of Sudanese gold. Human Rights Watch criticises Brussels for insufficiently confronting the UAE and underusing its trade leverage over alleged RSF support

Sources: AP⁠, Reuters⁠, UK Government⁠, ISPI⁠, EU Council⁠, Human Rights Watch⁠

Transparency Note: Prepared with AI assistance.