Khartoum, Sudan – The United Arab Emirates issued a formal denial on Tuesday, rejecting claims that it is providing material support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) or recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight in Sudan’s escalating war.
The assertions, which surfaced in multiple international media reports, suggested that the UAE was supplying arms and logistical assistance to the RSF, a paramilitary group that has been battling the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April. The same reports also alleged that the Gulf state had hired fighters from Colombia to bolster the RSF’s ranks.
In a statement released to the press, an UAE embassy spokesperson said, “These reports are unfounded and constitute misinformation. The United Arab Emirates has no involvement in the Sudan conflict, whether through arms shipments, financing, or the recruitment of foreign personnel.” The spokesperson added that the UAE remains committed to diplomatic efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution.
Sources familiar with the situation, who asked to remain anonymous, indicated that the rumors stem from a mix of satellite imagery analyses and unverified social‑media posts, which have been amplified by regional rivals seeking to shape the narrative of the war.
Analysts at the Middle East Institute noted that the UAE has historically maintained a low‑profile posture in Sudan, focusing on economic investments rather than direct military engagement. “While the UAE has business interests in Sudan’s agriculture and mining sectors, there is no concrete evidence linking it to the RSF’s war machine,” said Dr. Lina Al‑Hussein, a senior researcher on Gulf foreign policy.
U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that foreign arms flows could prolong the conflict, but they have not publicly implicated the UAE. The United Nations‑backed panel on Sudan’s arms embargo has yet to issue a definitive finding on the alleged UAE involvement.
As fighting intensifies in Khartoum and the Darfur region, the denial may influence diplomatic calculations in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, where leaders are balancing regional alliances with the risk of international sanctions. Observers expect that any further evidence of external support for the RSF could trigger renewed calls for a comprehensive investigation by the UN and potentially reshape negotiations for a ceasefire.