The once-solid alliance between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is showing deep cracks, and the fallout is being felt across the region - with Sudan becoming the latest arena for this high-stakes geopolitical contest. According to a political analyst speaking to The Media Line, "Sudan ... is becoming an arena of UAE-Saudi rivalry, in addition to the Yemen issue."
What this really means is that the Gulf powerhouses, once united in their pursuit of regional influence, are now engaged in a complex game of one-upmanship - and Sudan is the latest chessboard. The underlying tensions have been simmering for years, with disagreements over issues like the war in Yemen and the blockade of Qatar. But now, the rivalry is spilling out into the open, threatening to destabilize a country already grappling with political and economic turmoil.
The Shifting Alliances in Sudan
The bigger picture here is that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have long jockeyed for influence in Sudan, using a mix of financial aid, political support, and even military intervention to advance their interests. But as their strategic priorities have diverged, this once-coordinated effort has descended into a battle for dominance.
On one side, Saudi Arabia has sought to prop up the military-backed government in Khartoum, seeing it as a bulwark against Islamist movements like the Muslim Brotherhood that it views as a threat. The kingdom has even pledged billions in aid to the Sudanese regime, cementing its position as a key patron.
Meanwhile, the UAE has cultivated ties with a range of actors in Sudan, including rebel groups and local militias. The Emiratis have been accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group with a history of human rights abuses, in a bid to counter Saudi influence and secure its own strategic foothold.
A Recipe for Instability
The result is a deeply fractured political landscape in Sudan, with various factions vying for power and resources. This not only undermines efforts to achieve a stable democratic transition but also opens the door for further interference from outside actors. As protests and unrest continue to rock the country, the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE is only adding fuel to the fire.
The implications of this geopolitical tug-of-war extend far beyond Sudan's borders. As these Gulf powers jostle for influence, the risk of escalating tensions and even armed conflict grows. And with Sudan's strategic location at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East, the fallout could reverberate across the region, undermining efforts to promote stability and prosperity.
In the end, the Saudi-UAE rivalry in Sudan is a stark reminder that the pursuit of power and influence can come at a heavy price - one that is often paid by the people caught in the middle. As the sands shift, the future of Sudan hangs in the balance, caught in the crosshairs of a high-stakes game of regional one-upmanship.