SUDAN – A recent New York Times investigation has revealed that Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), played a central role in supply arms to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to intercepted communications obtained by U.S intelligence agencies.
Citing senior officials in American intelligence, the report states that the U.S. intercepted regular phone calls between RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and high-ranking Emirati officials, including Sheikh Mansour. The UAE has repeatedly denied supporting either side in Sudan’s ongoing war, but Sudanese de facto government officials accuse Abu Dhabi of backing the RSF and prolonging the devastating conflict.
According to the report, American intelligence identified direct communication lines between Hemedti and both Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president. U.S. officials reportedly traced a network of front companies coordinated by a UAE official to fund and supply weapons to the RSF, which has been accused of grave human rights abuses in Sudan.
The RSF, formerly known as the Janjaweed militia, has been widely condemned for atrocities during both the current war and the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s. Since the outbreak of Sudan’s civil war in April 2023, the RSF has gained control over most of Darfur and stands accused of acts amounting to genocide and ethnic cleansing.
The New York Times also reported that charities linked to Sheikh Mansour funded the construction of hospital, allegedly treating civilians, while intelligence officials believe the humanitarian work served as a cover for transferring drones and other advanced weaponry to RSF fighters. These claims were support by both American and United Nations officials.
Neither Sheikh Mansour, Hemedti, nor the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to inquires from the newspaper regarding their alleged roles in the conflict.
Over a dozen U.S., African, and Arab officials told the New York Times that Sheikh Mansour was at the forefront of what they described as the UAE’s “Aggressive campaign” to expand its influence across Africa and the Middle East. The campaign, according to the report, includes efforts to control ports and strategic mineral resources, counter Islamist Movements, and assert itself as a major regional power.
Jeffrey Feltman, the former U.S. envoy to the Horn of Africa, said, “We always knew Mansour was the one working behind the scenes in Sudan.”
As the war in Sudan intensifies with over 150,000 people killed and more than 12 million displaced, accusations against the UAE have gained international traction. Several Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. congress have called for suspending arms sales to Abu Dhabi over its alleged involvement in what has been described as a campaign of genocide.
U.S. officials told the New York Times that from the earliest days of the war, they were aware that Hemedti had been given refuge in the UAE. He traveled there and was granted safe housing, from where he recorded video messages to his followers in Sudan.
The report alleges that weapons were funneled to the RSF via a military airbase in Chad, under the cover of a field hospital operated by two UAE-linked charities. Neither organization responded to the New York Times, but Emirati officials dismissed the allegations as reckless, stating it was “irresponsible and damaging” to imply the hospital served any purpose beyond humanitarian aid.
In 2024, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello reportedly confront Sheikh Mansour directly during a meeting in the UAE, questioning his support for Hemedti. Sheikh Mansour is said to have deflected blame, claiming peace was the responsibility of his enemies.
Tensions between Sudan de facto government and the UAE have sharply deteriorated since the outbreak of war. In May 2025, Sudan’s Security and Defense Council officially severed diplomatic ties, labeling the UAE an “aggressor state.” The Sudanese de facto government accused Abu Dhabi of violating its Sovereignty, undermining national unity, and supporting armed rebellion.
The case filed against the UAE at the International Court of Justice for alleged complicity in genocide was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. But politically, the divide has only deepened-with senior Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) officials now openly accusing the UAE of leading a proxy war on Sudanese soil.
