UAE in Sudan: Why do Sudanese people blame the Emirates for the destruction of their country?
News Report – Nile Post
Since the war began in April 2023, the role of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a major topic in Sudan. While the UAE speaks about humanitarian aid, most Sudanese people believe the Emirates is the main financial supporter of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. For many, the UAE is seen as the “engineer” of the violence and displacement they face every day.
The Plan: A Quick Coup Many political analysts believe there was a plan for a “quick coup.” The idea was for the RSF to take control of the country in a few hours. This plan included immediate international recognition for the new government, supported by a group of Sudanese politicians (now known as “Tagadum”). This would have given the UAE control over Sudan’s future through its local allies.
Why the Plan Failed: The Army and the People The plan did not work for two reasons:
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The Army’s Resilience: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) refused to surrender, turning the coup into a long war.
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The People’s Reaction: The crimes committed by the RSF—such as looting homes, sexual violence, and forced displacement—changed everything. Instead of supporting the RSF, the Sudanese people united behind their national army in a massive wave of “Popular Resistance.”
The UAE’s Interests: Gold and Ports Why is the UAE so involved? Experts point to three main reasons:
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Control of Ports: The UAE wants to control Sudan’s Red Sea coast (like the Abu Amama port project) to dominate global shipping routes.
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Gold Trade: Sudan is a top gold producer, and most of it is traded through Dubai. Supporting the RSF ensures this flow continues.
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Political Influence: The UAE wants to remove any influence of political Islamic groups in Sudan.
The Public Anger Today, there is deep anger in the Sudanese streets against the UAE. Sudanese citizens believe that every bullet fired by the RSF and every drone used against civilians was paid for by Emirati money. The UAE is no longer seen as a “friendly investor” but as a primary enemy in the hearts of millions of Sudanese.
Conclusion The UAE’s bet on “proxies” like the RSF has failed. While searching for ports and gold, the UAE has lost its relationship with the Sudanese people. The war has shown that national pride and the desire for sovereignty are stronger than political money.
