How Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan Brothers Are Linked To The Sudan Crisis

Summary: The Al Nahyan brothers—Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Tahnoon and Sheikh Mansour—have overseen the UAE’s transformation into a major global investor and strategic Western partner. Allegations from Western intelligence and campaigners claim parts of Emirati policy and corporate expansion have supported the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, charges that Abu Dhabi denies. This article examines those claims, the brothers’ roles, and the broader economic drive into Africa by Emirati firms such as IHC.

From Tribal Federation To Global Player

Since independence in 1971, the United Arab Emirates has evolved from a small, tribal federation into a wealthy petro-state and a pivotal partner for Western powers. Over the past two decades the UAE has become a hub for investment, finance and energy; it plays a visible role in regional security, counters Iranian influence, promotes normalisation with Israel, and hosts American naval assets.

The Al Nahyan Brothers And Their Networks

The three most powerful Al Nahyan brothers have become internationally prominent. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is the president of the UAE and a key interlocutor for Washington. Sheikh Tahnoon oversees intelligence and major commercial interests and has been linked with technology and investment initiatives. Sheikh Mansour manages a wide sports and media portfolio, including ownership of Manchester City, and cultivates relationships across Africa.

Allegations Over Sudan

Since April 2023 Sudan’s civil war has produced a severe humanitarian crisis. Some Western intelligence assessments and campaign groups allege that the UAE provided material support—reportedly including drones and artillery—to the RSF, a militia that has faced accusations of atrocities. Abu Dhabi has categorically denied providing support to any party and condemns all abuses. These allegations remain contested and have not been independently verified in full.

"We categorically reject any claims of providing any form of support to either warring party since the onset of the civil war, and condemn atrocities committed by both," an Emirati official said.

El Fasher And International Concern

Scrutiny intensified after reports of the RSF’s capture of El Fasher in Darfur, where survivors described widespread violence. International figures and diplomats have expressed alarm and called for renewed efforts to end the fighting, while many Western governments have been cautious in publicly assigning blame given the UAE’s strategic partnerships.

IHC And The Economic Push Into Africa

A central vehicle in the UAE’s overseas expansion is the International Holding Company (IHC). Once a small fish-farming business, IHC has grown into a multibillion-pound conglomerate with diverse holdings across energy, mining, agriculture and technology. Critics argue that its acquisitions—large tracts of farmland and mining assets across Africa—blur the lines between state and private interests; the company and Emirati officials counter that investments follow legal and regulatory standards and are aimed at value creation and connectivity.

Land, Resources And Strategic Motives

Analysts point to several motives for Emirati engagement in Sudan and elsewhere in Africa: securing food supplies, accessing natural resources (including gold), and creating trade and logistics corridors via Red Sea ports. Regional competition with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar adds another layer of strategic calculation. Ideological factors—especially opposition to political Islam—have also shaped Emirati alignments with strongmen who are viewed as bulwarks against Islamist movements.

Political And Commercial Ties With The West

The Al Nahyan family has close ties to many Western political and commercial actors, including US administrations and leading technology firms. Those ties help explain Western governments’ reticence to take more forceful public action, even as some lawmakers and analysts call for stricter oversight of arms flows and corporate behaviour linked to conflict zones.

What Is Clear—and What Is Not

What is clear is that the UAE is an increasingly influential investor in Africa and a strategic partner for the West. What remains contested are the precise roles played by Emirati entities and individuals in active conflicts such as Sudan’s civil war. Independent verification of specific battlefield assistance claims is limited, and Abu Dhabi continues to reject accusations of knowingly enabling violence.

Looking Ahead

Diplomats warn that the controversy could complicate relations with Western allies as Emirati investment and influence expand across Africa. The debate raises wider questions about the line between state strategy and private commercial expansion, and about how global powers should respond when economic engagement intersects with allegations of human-rights abuses.