Relationship dossier
Sudan
United Arab Emirates
Relationship assessment
Past UAE aid and transition support contrast with Sudan’s allegations of UAE backing for the Rapid Support Forces.
Sudan toward United Arab Emirates
-40Sudanese authorities have accused the UAE of supporting the Rapid Support Forces during the civil war, a serious bilateral dispute. Sudan’s earlier transition-era cooperation with the UAE contrasts with these conflict-related accusations.
United Arab Emirates toward Sudan
-25The UAE provided substantial financial and in-kind support to Sudan’s 2019 transition. Sudanese authorities have since accused the UAE of supporting the Rapid Support Forces; the UAE has denied the allegations, leaving this a major source of tension.
Overall relationship
-30The relationship combines significant earlier UAE assistance to Sudan with a major conflict-related dispute over alleged UAE support for the Rapid Support Forces. The allegation is denied by the UAE and has sharply strained relations, while the extent of continuing bilateral cooperation is unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Sudan and the United Arab Emirates have had substantial economic and aid ties, including UAE support for Sudan’s 2019 transition. Relations have been severely strained by Sudanese allegations that the UAE supports the Rapid Support Forces during Sudan’s civil war; the UAE has denied such allegations. Earlier cooperation and the conflict-related dispute point to a relationship that has shifted from partnership toward confrontation.
Areas of tension
- Sudanese allegations of UAE support for the Rapid Support Forces during the civil war
Key developments
The UAE, alongside Saudi Arabia, pledged $3 billion in support for Sudan’s transitional authorities, including a central-bank deposit and assistance in kind.
Sudanese authorities accused the UAE of supporting the Rapid Support Forces during the civil war; the UAE denied the allegations.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and implementation of UAE assistance to Sudan during the conflict are unclear.
- The scope of alleged UAE support to the Rapid Support Forces remains disputed.
- The status of diplomatic engagement and bilateral cooperation during the conflict is unclear.