By Pan African News Blog

As Sudan’s brutal civil war rages on, external actors continue to deepen the conflict by supplying arms and fighters to warring factions. Recent reports reveal that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly Abu Dhabi, has established a covert airlift operation to funnel weapons and paramilitary reinforcements to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A key node in this shadowy supply chain? The port city of Bosaso, in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Somalia.

The UAE’s Shadow War in Sudan

The RSF, a paramilitary group accused of widespread atrocities, has relied heavily on foreign backing to sustain its campaign against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). While the UAE publicly calls for peace, its alleged military support to the RSF underscores its geopolitical maneuvering in the Horn of Africa.

Bosaso, strategically located in northwest Puntland, has emerged as a critical logistics hub for this operation. Cargo flights reportedly depart from the UAE, stop in Bosaso to obscure their final destination, and then proceed to Sudan with arms and fighters—often disguised as humanitarian aid.

Why Puntland?

Puntland’s weak governance and proximity to the Gulf make it an ideal transit point for clandestine arms shipments. The UAE has cultivated strong ties with Puntland’s leadership, investing in ports and security infrastructure, which now appear to serve dual purposes.

This involvement raises urgent questions:

• Is Somalia being dragged into Sudan’s war as a weapons pipeline?
• How will this impact regional stability, particularly in the already volatile Horn of Africa?

A Call for Pan-African Accountability

The UAE’s alleged arms transfers violate UN arms embargoes and exacerbate a conflict that has displaced millions. African leaders and regional bodies like the African Union (AU) and IGAD must demand transparency and accountability. If external powers continue to fuel this war, Sudan’s suffering—and its ripple effects—will only worsen.