Sudan accuses UAE of fueling civil war with foreign mercenaries

Sudan’s government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of recruiting and financing foreign mercenaries — including Colombians and fighters from unnamed African countries — to support the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its ongoing civil war against the Sudanese Armed Forces.

In a statement Monday (4 August),Sudan’s foreign ministry said it possesses “irrefutable evidence” of the UAE’s involvement in deploying hundreds of thousands of mercenaries. It also warned that “this unprecedented phenomenon poses a serious threat to peace and security in the region and across the continent.” However,the ministry offered no specifics or named countries allegedly involved. The UAE swiftly denied the accusations,calling them “baseless” and claiming they were intended to distract from peace efforts. The Emirati Foreign Ministry said the claims undermine efforts to achieve a transitional process based on the Sudanese people’s aspirations.

Footage allegedly retrieved from a deceased fighter’s phone shows Spanish-speaking men,which Sudan’s military says confirms the presence of Colombian mercenaries around El Fasher. Colombia has previously expressed regret over its nationals’ involvement,promising repatriation. The war,which began in April 2023,has killed over 40,000,displaced 12 million,and pushed millions to the brink of famine. Both the RSF and Sudanese army have been accused of atrocities,including ethnic cleansing and sexual violence. Tensions between Sudan and the UAE have escalated amid earlier claims of Emirati arms shipments to RSF — claims the UAE has repeatedly denied.