Washington, DC, April 28 (Darfur24)
A network of family members, sanctioned individuals, and affiliated entities tied to the leadership of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) owns a real estate portfolio in Dubai worth an estimated $24 million, according to an investigation by The Sentry.
The RSF is led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti,” alongside his brothers Abdelrahim and Algoney Dagalo, all of whom are under international sanctions. Leaked property records reviewed in the investigation show that the portfolio includes more than 20 properties, several of them located within the same gated community, as well as additional rental holdings.
The findings raise fresh questions about the role of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has repeatedly denied supporting the RSF, despite mounting allegations linking it to the group. The report suggests that, beyond alleged military support, the UAE may also provide a safe environment for assets and family members connected to the RSF leadership.
To establish links between property owners and the Dagalo family, The Sentry examined multiple data sources, including phone records and passport information. Individuals identified as relatives did not deny their family connections when contacted. The report emphasizes, however, that ownership of property alone does not imply wrongdoing.
The investigation is the fourth in a series examining alleged ties between the RSF, the Dagalo family, and networks operating in the UAE. Previous reports documented the use of Dubai-based front companies, the involvement of an Emirati businessman linked to the recruitment of foreign fighters, and the role of Prodigious Real Estate Management Supervision Services—a UAE-registered firm—in managing property associated with RSF leadership.
Other investigations by independent organizations and international media have alleged that weapons and drones have been supplied to the RSF, while gold has been smuggled out of Sudan. Reporting has also pointed to potential involvement by senior figures within the UAE leadership.
The report further highlights what it describes as ongoing weaknesses in Dubai’s real estate oversight. Despite the UAE’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list” in 2024, concerns remain over the enforcement of anti-money laundering regulations, the scrutiny of politically exposed persons, and the handling of major financial crime cases.
In response, The Sentry calls for targeted action by international authorities. It urges the United States to formally designate Prodigious Real Estate Management Supervision Services as a blocked entity, and recommends that the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions consider similar measures against the company and its owner.
The report also calls on financial institutions, real estate professionals, and legal practitioners—particularly in the UAE—to conduct enhanced due diligence on transactions involving the Dagalo family, RSF-linked entities, and sanctioned individuals, especially where there is a risk of breaching existing sanctions.
In addition, it recommends that law enforcement agencies investigate property acquisitions connected to these networks to verify the source of funds, and that the Financial Action Task Force increase scrutiny of the UAE’s real estate sector during its 2026 evaluation. The report suggests that failure to demonstrate progress could warrant the country’s return to the FATF grey list.
The findings add to growing scrutiny of financial and logistical networks linked to the conflict in Sudan, where fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF since April 2023 has devastated the country and displaced millions.