This civil war is progressively becoming a proxy war, with regional and global powers backing different sides for their own strategic interests.

Egypt's Support for the Military

Egypt, Sudan's neighbor to the north, is seen as the primary backer of the Sudanese military and General Burhan. Egypt has historical ties to Sudan and is deeply concerned about stability on its southern border, particularly regarding water security from the Nile.

UAE's Support for the RSF

The United Arab Emirates is seen as the main backer of the RSF. According to the UN, there is credible evidence that the UAE is providing the RSF with weaponry and ammunition, with shipments entering Sudan via neighboring Chad, though the UAE denies this.

The UAE's motivations include accessing Sudan's significant natural resources - particularly gold deposits - and establishing political influence in the region. The RSF has been accused of controlling gold mining operations in Darfur and funneling resources to the UAE.

One analyst noted that General Hemeti's group (RSF) is supported quite actively by General Haftar from Libya, while General Burhan's Sudanese Army is supported by the Egyptian government.

Other Regional Players

1. Qatar, Turkey: Supporting the Sudanese armed forces to a lesser extent
2. Chad: A complex player, with fighters from Chad reportedly fighting on the side of the RSF
3. Libya: Mercenaries and support flowing from Libya to the RSF
4. Saudi Arabia and the United States: Attempted mediation through the so-called "Quad" meetings in Washington, though with limited success

The confusion is grave and profound - many who are fighting on the side of Hemeti come from Niger, from Chad, from the Sahel, from Libya. It's a war that really if not stopped in good time would degenerate into a full civil war involving forces from Darfur, Abyei, the Blue Nile, and the Nuba mountains.