Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Sudan Accuses UAE of Deploying Colombian Mercenaries to Support RSF in Escalating Civil War

KHARTOUM, Sudan – August 6, 2025 — The Government of Sudan has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of sponsoring foreign mercenaries, including Colombians and fighters from neighboring African countries, to fight alongside the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing civil war against the national army. The allegation marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic fallout surrounding the conflict, which has devastated the country for over two years.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed it had obtained what it described as “irrefutable evidence” linking the UAE to the recruitment and deployment of thousands of mercenaries to aid the RSF. While the statement stopped short of publishing this alleged evidence, officials insisted that the involvement of foreign fighters is now a matter of international concern.

“This unprecedented phenomenon poses a serious threat to peace and security in the region and across the African continent,” the ministry said, asserting that fighters had been hired from various African nations and Colombia to strengthen the RSF’s ranks.

The Sudanese government did not name the African countries allegedly involved nor provide documents or media evidence to support the claim. However, the statement suggested that the UAE’s alleged actions amount to direct interference in Sudan’s internal affairs and risk destabilizing the broader Horn of Africa region.

UAE Dismisses Allegations as “Baseless”

In response, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a categorical denial. In a statement sent via email to The Associated Press, the Emirati government rejected what it called a politically motivated attempt to divert attention from the pressing need for peace in Sudan.

“The UAE categorically rejects the allegations put forward by the Sudanese government,” the statement read. “These claims are merely attempts to derail the peace process and evade the moral, legal, and humanitarian obligations to end the conflict and pave the way for a transitional process that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, stability, and development.”

The UAE did not directly address the accusations involving Colombian mercenaries or detail its existing engagements in Sudan or the wider region. Officials in Bogotá have yet to publicly respond to the claims, and there has been no official confirmation or denial from the Colombian government at the time of writing.

Background to the War

Sudan’s civil war began in April 2023 following a breakdown in power-sharing talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.

What began as a localized power struggle in Khartoum quickly descended into a brutal nationwide conflict. More than 40,000 people have been killed, over 12 million displaced, and vast regions of the country have been plunged into humanitarian catastrophe, with famine looming in some areas.

The RSF, a successor force to the infamous Janjaweed militias from the Darfur conflict, has been widely accused of atrocities, including mass killings, ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, and the forced recruitment of child soldiers. The Sudanese army, for its part, has also been implicated in serious human rights violations.

The fighting has turned cities like Omdurman, Nyala, El Fasher, and El Geneina into battle zones, and left healthcare, infrastructure, and social services in ruins. International observers say the conflict risks becoming a protracted proxy war involving regional and international powers.

Longstanding Accusations Against the UAE

Sudanese authorities have previously accused the UAE of covertly supporting the RSF, particularly through military supplies and logistical assistance. While the UAE has consistently denied those accusations, suspicions have lingered among Sudanese officials and civil society groups.

In November 2024, Amnesty International released a report stating that Sudanese troops had captured armored vehicles manufactured in the UAE, allegedly equipped with French-made defense systems, during clashes with the RSF. At the time, the Emirati government described the report as part of a “coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at undermining our foreign policy, regional role, and humanitarian efforts.”

Sudanese officials say that the latest accusations involving foreign mercenaries represent a new and dangerous phase in the conflict. According to local sources, these foreign fighters are reportedly being deployed in conflict hotspots such as Darfur and parts of South Kordofan.

Though the figures provided by the Sudanese government — citing “hundreds of thousands” of mercenaries — have not been independently verified, analysts agree that the militarization of the conflict with foreign actors would further complicate peace efforts.

Regional and Global Implications

Sudan’s war is now being seen not only as an internal collapse of governance but as part of a broader pattern of militarized regional competition. The Horn of Africa and the Sahel have become increasingly volatile in recent years, with various state and non-state actors vying for influence.

Some analysts suggest that the involvement of Colombian mercenaries, if confirmed, mirrors past cases where Latin American ex-soldiers have been recruited into Middle Eastern or African conflicts due to their combat experience and affordability compared to Western contractors.

There is also growing concern among African Union and United Nations officials that the Sudan conflict could spill over into neighboring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic, creating a larger humanitarian crisis.

Despite international efforts, including mediation by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and talks brokered by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, no durable ceasefire has been achieved.

A Call for Accountability

In its statement, the Sudanese foreign ministry called on the international community to launch an independent investigation into the use of foreign mercenaries and to hold all foreign entities accountable for violations of international law.

“We urge the UN Security Council, the African Union, and our regional partners to take decisive action. The use of mercenaries in Sudan is not just a violation of sovereignty, but a direct attack on African peace and collective security,” the statement concluded.

As the war rages on with no end in sight, the Sudanese people continue to bear the brunt of a geopolitical tug-of-war — their dreams of peace held hostage by rival powers and unrelenting violence.


Africa Live News will continue to monitor developments in Sudan’s civil war and bring updates on diplomatic efforts, humanitarian responses, and investigations into regional involvement.


 

Africa Live News
Africa Live Newshttps://africalivenews.com/
Your trusted source for real-time news and updates from across the African continent. We bring you the latest stories, trends, and insights from politics, business, entertainment, and more. Stay informed, stay ahead with Africa Live News

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