The UAE Should Be On The Financial Action Task Force Grey List

In August 2024, the UAE decided to suspend 32 gold refineries and also announced the requirement for due diligence regulations for gold to ensure responsible gold sourcing. These measures eventually led to the delisting of the UAE from the Financial Action Task Force Grey List. This standard measures how entities adhere to countering money laundering, illicit arms trade, and smuggling.

However, many experts describe it as driven by political considerations and not reflecting the UAE’s seriousness in adhering to the requirements. Recent investigations, in particular, its support for the RSF militia through arms and collaboration with Wagner to smuggle Sudanese gold, reveal the reality on the ground.

With direct support of the Russian Wagner Group, the UAE found in the ongoing war in Sudan a great opportunity to exploit the Sudanese gold resources. In December 2024, an investigative report exposed that the UAE has also been smuggling gold from areas controlled by its RSF militia ally in South Darfur, and through a convoluted network, this gold reached the UAE.

In parallel, the UAE is also complicit in the funding of war crimes and hosting RSF militia companies. For instance, in Sudan, in particular, a recent report exposed that the UAE funneled arms from Dubai to the RSF militia with the support of Wagner. In some cases, the UAE used humanitarian aid to disguise the shipment of arms and weapons to the militia. Relatedly, the UAE  hosted companies that are linked with the RSF militia that were apparently used for money laundering, gold trading, and arms purchasing; these companies had been operating covertly until sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in January 2025, yet some RSF-related companies operate from the UAE. Allegedly, the UAE-based private security companies are engaged in recruiting and flying Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside the RSF militia in Darfur. Recently, it has been found that the person responsible for transferring Colombian mercenaries to Sudan is a business partner of a high-ranking government official in the United Arab Emirates

Moreover, the UAE became a hub for re-exporting purchased arms and military equipment, mostly from Western countries, to the RSF militia. Recent reports exposed that the UAE redirected arms from countries such as China, the UK, Bulgaria, and Canada. These arms have been crucial for the militia to continue its war in Sudan.

These violations will continue, given the UAE’s deep interest in backing the RSF militia until it takes power in Sudan. The Financial Action Task Force should reconsider its decision; such a move will have a significant impact as it will subject the UAE to increased monitoring and will deter the UAE from further funding the activities of the militia and, indeed, prevent the next genocide in Darfur.

There is a dire need to form an international coalition of rights groups, researchers, and activists that pushes for the relisting of the UAE on the FATF.  Currently, the Sentry is an investigative and policy organization that seeks to dismantle multinational predatory networks that benefit from violent conflict, repression, and kleptocracy. Took the lead by categorically rejecting the removal of the UAE from the grey list. International Transparency also criticized the decision, pointing out that the UAE still has work to do to gain trust. Moreover, a Swiss-based NGO called for strict scrutiny for the imported gold from the UAE, citing its usage as a main source to fund the war in Sudan.

Days ago, the RSF militia committed a heinous massacre in Elfashir; thousands were killed in one day, including patients at a hospital, women, and children were lined up and shot to death. This massacre was indeed enabled and sponsored by the UAE. That’s relentless in pursuing its economic and political interests in Sudan, regardless of the suffering it causes.

The relisting of the UAE will be the correct step to deter the UAE from further funding terrorism and crimes in Sudan and to protect the lives of millions of innocents.

Source: https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/the-uae-should-be-on-the-financial-action-task-force-grey-list/