Is the UK playing a double game in Sudan and Somalia?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by Indlieb Farazi SaberJanuary 23, 2026 at 09:28 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

Critics allege the UK is playing a "double game" in the Horn of Africa, specifically Sudan and Somalia. In Sudan, despite publicly expressing concern over the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, the UK reportedly rejected stronger measures to prevent atrocities. This has led some to believe the UK is enabling violence, particularly regarding alleged Emirati support for the RSF. Simultaneously, while officially supporting Somalia's territorial integrity, the UK maintains a stake in a strategic port in Somaliland, a breakaway region. Analysts suggest these actions undermine the UK's credibility and raise questions about its true intentions in the region, leading to perceptions of the UK as an "interest manager" rather than a neutral broker.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Darfur 30% el-Fasher 30% United Arab Emirates 40% UK Foreign Office 40% British government ×250% Amgad Fareid Eltayeb ×250% Horn of Africa ×260% Somaliland ×360% Rapid Support Forces (RSF) ×470% Somalia ×270% Sudan ×780% UK ×1090%

Keywords

uk foreign policy 90% sudan 80% double game 80% horn of africa 70% somaliland 70% somalia 70% enabler of aggression 60% rapid support forces (rsf) 60% territorial integrity 50%