By HAN News Desk
RIYADH – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to ask former US President Donald Trump to pressure the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to halt its alleged support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) when the two leaders meet at the White House next week, according to regional sources familiar with the matter.
The development follows a recent phone call between the Crown Prince and Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, during which bin Salman reportedly pledged to assist his efforts to counter the RSF insurgency.
The RSF recently seized control of El-Fasher, the last major city in North Darfur still under Sudanese army control. Human rights groups and Sudanese officials have accused the force of committing widespread atrocities in the city, including mass killings and sexual violence against civilians.
The latest reports come as the US Secretary of State stated on Wednesday that Washington is aware of the countries supplying weapons and routes used to arm the RSF, and confirmed that the group could be considered for designation as a terrorist organization.
Such a designation would mark a significant escalation in international efforts to isolate the RSF as the war in Sudan approaches its second year with no signs of abating.
The UAE has long been accused by Sudanese military officials and international monitors of supplying the RSF with weapons, ammunition, and logistical support through supply networks operating via Libya, Chad, and the port of Bosaso in Somalia.
Sources in Sudan say General Burhan told the Saudi Crown Prince that the war in Sudan will be impossible to resolve as long as the RSF continues to receive foreign backing — a reference widely understood to mean the UAE.
Bin Salman is said to have reassured Burhan that he would raise the issue directly with Trump, who relies heavily on personal relationships with Middle Eastern leaders and is known for favoring direct communication over traditional diplomatic channels.
Analysts say the tension between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi has been growing for years and is increasingly visible in regional conflicts, including in Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, and even in their differing positions on Israel.
On Sudan, the UAE’s alleged support for the RSF stands in sharp contrast to the positions of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey — all of which back the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by Burhan.
Experts believe Riyadh may see Trump’s return to influence as an opportunity to reshape the regional balance and counteract Abu Dhabi’s growing assertiveness.
