Just weeks before Sudan’s descent into civil war, UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan hosted General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—in his Abu Dhabi palace. The two men, long acquainted through arms expos and covert military support, laid groundwork for what U.S. intelligence later deemed a covert Emirati effort to arm Hamdan’s paramilitary in its fight against Sudan’s army.

Charities linked to Sheikh Mansour disguised weapons shipments as humanitarian aid, channeling drones and arms via eastern Chad, according to American and UN officials. The UAE denies backing any faction, but U.S. intercepts captured regular calls between Sheikh Mansour and General Hamdan.

The ‘Handler’ Behind Foreign Conflicts

Though best known for owning Manchester City FC, Sheikh Mansour has been described by U.S. officials as the UAE’s “fixer” and “handler”—tasked with cultivating relationships with warlords in Libya, Sudan, and Yemen. In Sudan, he played a key role in recruiting President Omar al-Bashir to the Emirati-Saudi axis, followed by years of support for the RSF, including battlefield coordination and covert financing.

The RSF’s atrocities—including mass killings and sexual violence—have led to accusations of genocide. Washington’s frustration peaked in 2024 when U.S. envoy Tom Perriello personally confronted Mansour in Abu Dhabi. Despite this, the UAE continued funneling weapons to Hamdan’s fighters through shell companies and charities.

Sportswashing and Financial Smoke Screens

Sheikh Mansour’s $3.5 billion transformation of Manchester City into a global football powerhouse was hailed as soft-power genius. But allegations of 130 rule breaches—including disguised Emirati payments as sponsorship—have landed the club in what British media call “the trial of the century.” Punishments could include fines, title revocation, or expulsion from the Premier League.

In parallel, Mansour’s attempt to acquire Britain’s conservative Daily Telegraph was blocked in 2024 over national security concerns, highlighting Western unease over his influence campaigns via media, sports, and infrastructure.

Billions, Bloodshed, and Geopolitical Bets

Mansour’s dealings span the shadowy edge of geopolitics. He has allegedly funneled support to Libya’s General Khalifa Haftar and Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed, while aiding in Sudan’s ongoing war through gold, arms, and RSF connections. His role in the 1MDB financial scandal—where his yacht was financed with stolen Malaysian funds—remains uncharged but extensively documented.

In May 2025, President Trump visited the UAE, signing a $200 billion AI deal. Days later, Trump’s administration approved a $1 billion arms sale to the Emirates—despite bipartisan pressure in Congress to halt such transfers due to the UAE’s role in Sudan’s civil war.