The ongoing conflict in Sudan is becoming an increasingly complex geopolitical battleground, as the rivalry between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia spills over into the Horn of Africa nation. According to a political analyst speaking with The Media Line, "Sudan … Is Becoming an Arena of UAE-Saudi Rivalry, in Addition to the Yemen Issue."
The crisis in Sudan, which began with a military coup in 2023, has drawn in foreign powers seeking to shape the country's future. While the conflict was initially viewed through the lens of the longstanding tensions between the Sudanese military and pro-democracy protesters, it has now become entangled with the regional power struggle between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Shifting Alliances in the Horn of Africa
The UAE has been accused of arming and supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group that has clashed with the regular Sudanese army. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has historically backed the Sudanese military, leading to a proxy conflict in the country. As Foreign Policy reports, the dispute between the two Gulf nations has forced countries across the region to take sides, further complicating the situation in Sudan.
What this really means is that the conflict in Sudan is no longer just about domestic power struggles, but has become a battleground for the broader regional rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The two countries, which have long been allies, are now competing for influence in the Horn of Africa, with Sudan caught in the middle.
Expanding Geopolitical Landscape
The situation has taken an even more ominous turn with reports that Ethiopia is hosting UAE-supported training facilities linked to the RSF. This highlights how the conflict's geography is expanding beyond Sudan's borders, as neighboring states become rear bases for the warring factions.
The bigger picture here is that the war in Sudan is now intertwined with a broader regional security architecture stretching across the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. As BBC News reports, this reflects the growing influence of Gulf powers in the region, as they seek to project their own strategic interests.
Ultimately, the situation in Sudan has become a complex proxy war, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia vying for dominance in the Horn of Africa. This not only threatens to further destabilize Sudan, but also has broader implications for regional security and the balance of power in the Middle East.