The Republic of Sudan has formally terminated diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, designating the Gulf nation as an “aggressor state” amid intensifying accusations of foreign interference in its protracted internal conflict.

In a televised statement, Sudanese Defense Minister Yassin Ibrahim announced the immediate withdrawal of Sudan’s ambassador from Abu Dhabi and the closure of its diplomatic and consular missions. The move marks a dramatic escalation in the already fraught relationship between the two nations, which has deteriorated sharply in recent months.

At the heart of the rupture are allegations that the UAE has been providing material support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the primary adversary of Sudan’s army-aligned transitional government. Sudanese officials claim that advanced weaponry, allegedly supplied by the UAE, has been used in a series of drone strikes targeting Port Sudan — the current seat of government authority.

While the UAE has denied these accusations, Sudan maintains that foreign backing for the RSF constitutes a direct threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The dispute reached the international legal stage last month when Sudan petitioned the International Court of Justice, accusing the UAE of complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. The case was dismissed on procedural grounds, further straining diplomatic channels.

This abrupt severance of ties underscores the increasingly international dimension of Sudan’s civil war, which erupted in April 2023 and has since left thousands dead and millions displaced. It also signals Khartoum’s intent to reposition itself in an evolving geopolitical landscape, where alliances are fluid and foreign influence plays a critical role in shaping outcomes on the ground.

The regional and international ramifications of Sudan’s decision remain to be seen. However, the designation of the UAE as an aggressor state will undoubtedly complicate mediation efforts and may alter the strategic calculations of other actors engaged in the Horn of Africa and the broader Red Sea corridor.