WASHINGTON, June 30 — A New York Times investigation has revealed that Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president of the United Arab Emirates, played a central role in supplying arms to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, according to U.S. intelligence intercepts.
The report, citing senior American intelligence officials, said U.S. agencies intercepted regular phone calls between RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and senior Emirati leaders, including Sheikh Mansour. Although the UAE has denied backing either side in Sudan’s war, Sudanese officials accuse Abu Dhabi of fueling the RSF’s campaign and extending the conflict, which began in April 2023.
U.S. officials reportedly uncovered a network of front companies, coordinated by a UAE official, to fund and supply weapons to the RSF. Intelligence reportedly confirmed direct communications between Hemedti and both Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president. The RSF, formerly the Janjaweed militia, has been accused of human rights violations and atrocities dating back to the Darfur conflict of the early 2000s.
The Times also reported that charities linked to Sheikh Mansour funded hospitals in Sudan, ostensibly to treat civilians. U.S. intelligence officials believe the facilities served as fronts to deliver drones and other weapons to the RSF. These claims were reportedly corroborated by both American and United Nations officials.
Neither Sheikh Mansour, Hemedti, nor the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to requests for comment from the newspaper.
More than a dozen U.S., African, and Arab officials told the Times that Sheikh Mansour was leading what they described as an “aggressive campaign” by the UAE to expand its influence in Africa and the Middle East. This includes control over ports, mineral resources, and efforts to counter Islamist movements.
Jeffrey Feltman, former U.S. envoy to the Horn of Africa, said, “We always knew Mansour was the one working behind the scenes in Sudan.”
With over 150,000 killed and more than 12 million displaced, global scrutiny of the UAE’s role has intensified. Several U.S. lawmakers have urged a suspension of arms sales to the UAE, citing potential complicity in what some call a campaign of genocide.
U.S. officials also told the Times that Hemedti had been granted refuge in the UAE, from where he recorded video messages to supporters in Sudan. Intelligence sources allege weapons were funneled to the RSF via a military airbase in Chad, concealed by a field hospital operated by UAE-linked charities. Emirati officials denied the claims, calling them “irresponsible and damaging.”
In 2024, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello reportedly confronted Sheikh Mansour in the UAE over his alleged support for Hemedti. Mansour reportedly deflected responsibility, blaming his adversaries for prolonging the war.
Ties between Sudan’s de facto government and the UAE have deteriorated sharply. In May 2025, Sudan’s Security and Defense Council severed diplomatic relations and labeled the UAE an “aggressor state,” accusing it of violating Sudanese sovereignty and supporting rebellion.
A genocide case filed against the UAE at the International Court of Justice was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. However, Sudanese Armed Forces leaders now openly accuse Abu Dhabi of waging a proxy war on Sudanese soil.
