On Friday evening, November 28, 2025, Times of Israel published an in-depth analysis highlighting a stark contrast between the UAE’s image as a promoter of domestic “religious tolerance” and allegations that it plays a key role in arming and financing Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accused of committing genocide in Darfur.
The report cited a January 2025 U.S. State Department statement confirming that the RSF and allied militias had perpetrated “genocide” against non-Arab groups in Darfur, particularly the Masalit community, while the UAE continued to deny any military support to conflict parties.
Referencing an April 2025 UN expert panel report on Sudan, the article accused the UAE of supplying RSF forces with weapons, drones, and ammunition via airbases in Chad under the guise of “humanitarian flights.” A May 2025 Amnesty International investigation reportedly traced Chinese-made drones and munitions to RSF hands through UAE-linked supply chains.
The report also cited public statements from U.S. officials, including Senators Chris Van Hollen and Sara Jacobs, claiming intelligence confirming the ongoing flow of UAE weapons to RSF despite Abu Dhabi’s official pledges to halt military support.
Economically, the article drew on a November 2025 Swiss Aid report estimating that Sudanese gold—mostly extracted from RSF-controlled areas—is smuggled in large quantities to Dubai for refining and re-export, potentially amounting to USD 10–20 billion annually, far exceeding official trade figures.
Times of Israel argued that this support reflects not only financial interests but also a strategic vision for controlling the Red Sea and its ports. It noted agreements signed in 2022 granting UAE companies multi-billion-dollar concessions to develop Port Sudan and a new port in Abu Amama, along with extensive agricultural lands, arguing that RSF dominance on Sudan’s coast safeguards these investments.
The report concluded that the UAE seeks long-term strategic gains in gold, food security, and maritime control, despite the reputational risks and potential U.S. and European sanctions. Rising evidence and official acknowledgments of Abu Dhabi’s role in the Sudanese war challenge its image as a force of “tolerance and stability.”
