Algeria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Sudan and Palestinians have, in different ways, raised concerns about the policies and regional activities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as scrutiny grows over Abu Dhabi’s expanding role in conflicts and political affairs across the Middle East and Africa.
MOGADISHU – The criticism reflects a broader debate over the UAE’s foreign policy and its growing influence in strategically important parts of the Arab and Muslim world. While the countries involved have different political circumstances and their grievances are not identical, concerns have emerged over the UAE’s alliances, regional interventions and relationships with various political and military actors.
The UAE has developed itself as an influential regional power, particularly through its economic, diplomatic and security partnerships. Abu Dhabi has also maintained close diplomatic and economic relations with Israel, making it one of the most prominent Arab states to establish formal relations with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords.
The relationship has remained controversial across parts of the Arab and Muslim world, particularly because of the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Critics argue that closer relations with Israel give the UAE significant diplomatic leverage, but also raise questions about how Abu Dhabi balances its strategic partnerships with broader Arab and Palestinian concerns.
In Sudan, the UAE has faced particularly serious accusations linked to the country’s ongoing war. Sudanese authorities and other actors have repeatedly accused Abu Dhabi of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), allegations the UAE has strongly denied. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, making any alleged external support a highly sensitive issue.
In Libya, the UAE has also been a major regional player, particularly during the country’s prolonged political and military divisions. Abu Dhabi has been accused of supporting forces aligned with eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar. The UAE has denied allegations of destabilizing Libya and has presented its involvement as part of its broader regional security and diplomatic policy.
In Yemen, the UAE has played an important role since the Saudi-led military intervention against the Houthi movement began in 2015. Emirati-backed local forces and political groups have become influential, particularly in southern Yemen. Critics have argued that the UAE’s support for southern actors has contributed to political fragmentation, while Abu Dhabi has maintained that its involvement has focused on counterterrorism, maritime security and combating armed groups.
Somalia has also become an important arena for competing regional interests. The UAE has maintained strong economic and security relationships in parts of Somalia and has developed ties with regional administrations. These relationships have sometimes generated political disagreements with the Federal Government of Somalia, particularly over questions of sovereignty, security cooperation and relations with Somaliland.
The issue has become increasingly sensitive because Somalia considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory, while Somaliland maintains that it is an independent state. Any foreign government’s direct dealings with Somaliland therefore remain politically controversial in Mogadishu.
In Algeria, concerns over the UAE have also emerged within a wider North African geopolitical rivalry. Algerian officials and political commentators have expressed criticism of Gulf countries’ regional policies at different times, particularly regarding Libya and broader Arab affairs. The disagreements reflect competing approaches to regional security, sovereignty and foreign intervention.
The Palestinian issue remains another major source of public criticism. Although the UAE has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel, it has also repeatedly called for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has provided humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. Nevertheless, critics argue that maintaining strong relations with Israel while the conflict continues creates a contradiction between diplomatic engagement and the positions held by many Arab and Muslim communities.
A Wider Regional Debate
The growing criticism does not necessarily represent a unified position among these countries. Each government has its own interests, disputes and strategic calculations, and the nature of its relationship with Abu Dhabi varies significantly.
However, the accumulation of disagreements has contributed to a wider debate about the UAE’s role in the region. Supporters of Abu Dhabi’s foreign policy describe the UAE as a proactive regional power seeking to combat extremist groups, protect trade routes and promote stability. Critics, meanwhile, accuse it of pursuing an assertive foreign policy that sometimes deepens political and military divisions.
The UAE has consistently rejected accusations that it deliberately destabilizes countries or supports armed groups in violation of international law. Abu Dhabi has also emphasized its commitment to diplomacy, humanitarian assistance and regional stability.
The controversy therefore extends beyond individual disputes. It reflects a broader struggle over sovereignty, regional influence, military alliances, economic interests and the future political order of the Middle East and North Africa.
As tensions continue across Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Palestine, the UAE’s regional role is likely to remain under close scrutiny. For many governments and communities in the Islamic world, the central question is increasingly whether Abu Dhabi’s growing diplomatic and economic influence contributes to stability—or becomes another source of regional competition and division.
