Amidst Sudan’s bloody conflict, the UAE emerges as one of the most enigmatic players. The oil-rich monarchy positioned itself as a mediator for peace while quietly fueling war behind the scenes.
General Yasser Al-Atta — a member of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council and the second-in-command of the armed forces — recently made statements directly accusing the UAE and Mohammed bin Zayed. He called him the “Devil of the Arabs” who is shedding Sudanese blood.
As a form of retribution, Al-Atta declared that the Sudanese army’s patience had run out. He criticized Abu Dhabi’s continued support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It was led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti.” Al-Atta said it can no longer be tolerated. He blamed the UAE for funding and arming “criminal” groups that threaten civilians and ruin the structure of the Sudanese state.
Even more attention was drawn by Al-Atta’s assertion that “N’Djamena Airport” in Chad is a potential military target for the Sudanese army, allegedly serving as a transit hub for UAE supplies for RSF forces. As a result of this statement, there was a strong response in N’Djamena, where the Chadian government characterized it as “hostile and irresponsible,” cautioning that any attempt to break its territory would be regarded as an act of war—and that Chad reserves the right to respond.
Significant shifts have been taking place on the battlefield, including the retaking of several strategic locations by the Sudanese army, indicating a renewed advantage in the balance of power. There has been widespread praise for Al-Atta’s boldness in naming those who fuel the chaos, emphasizing the transparency of the confrontation – not only with militias but with their political and military backers.
In the past, Al-Atta has never hidden his dislike for Mohammed bin Zayed, charging him with creating instability in Sudan and facilitating gold looting as part of an expansionist Emirati agenda. His latest remarks have been noticed as “breaking the wall of silence” among Sudan’s military establishment at a time when regional and international pressure is mounting for the conflict to end, which has been raging for a year.