A New York Times investigation has revealed that the main Emirati coordinator, backer and financier of the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan is the United Arab Emirates Vice-President, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who is the owner of the Manchester City FC, is also the younger brother of the ruler of the Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The NYT investigation is drawn from US intelligence reports that cite wiretaps and leaked phone calls between Mansour bin Zayed with the leader of the RSF, Hemedti. The US intelligence report also reveals that Mansour bin Zayed transferred heavy weapons and drones to the RSF via cargo labelled as humanitarian and medical equipment. Medical and humanitarian equipment from the Emirates to Sudan, used to go through Chad, notably through the Amdjarass airport.
Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan is also a major backer of the Libyan rump dictator Khalifa Haftar who recently also invaded Sudan to help the RSF. According to the US intelligence reports Mansour bin Zayed holds a significant degree of influence over Khalifa Haftar and is the main coordinator of his relationship with the Emirates.
The Untied Arab Emirates is the main backer and weapons supplier of the RSF and it has recently also used drones to attack civilian infrastructure in Sudan’s de fact capital, Port Sudan.
Newsroom
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