In recent years, the UAE has capitalised on the vacuum left by Western powers to emerge as a key regional player in Africa. Rather than deploying traditional military forces, it has crafted its own playbook — one centered on funding and arming proxy militias. This intervention is increasingly causing huge instability and is accompanied by countless violations of international laws.  

In Libya, the UAE has been backing the warlord Khalifa Haftar with arms for a long time. This military support resulted in Haftar controlling the East of the country. Several reports have shown that the UAE’s arms supply was essential for Haftar to seize control of this power.

The UAE has also been the main backer of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in Sudan, and credible reports exposed that the  UAE supplied the militia with money,  arms, guided bombs, and hosting its social media team and

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