Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Leadership Owns $24 Million of Property in Dubai

The Sentry published in April 2026 an alert titled "$24M Property Safe Haven in Dubai Linked to the RSF." 

A network of family members, sanctioned individuals, and entities linked to the leadership of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) owns a $24 million real estate portfolio in Dubai consisting of over 20 properties.  These properties, while legal, shed further light on the RSF's relationship with the UAE.

Head of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Owns Property in UAE

 The Sentry published in February 2026 a report titled "Dubai Properties Linked to Hemedti."

Mohamed "Hemedti" Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is closely linked to a $1.7 million property portfolio in the United Arab Emirates.  

Chinese and Dubai Companies Battle To Operate Djiboutian Port

Quartz Africa posted on 28 February 2019 an article titled "A Legal Tussle Over a Strategic African Port Sets Up a Challenge for China's Belt and Road Plan" by Abdi Latif Dahir.

Dubai's DP World until recently operated Djibouti's Doraleh Container Terminal. A year ago, Djibouti seized control of the port from DP World. China Merchants Port Holdings, the Hong Kong-based subsidiary of the state-owned conglomerate, China Merchants Group, held a 23.5 percent stake in the port and has been given increased operational authority by Djibouti over the port. The issue is now in a Hong Kong court but the dispute raises questions about the ultimate intentions of this Chinese company and control of the port.

China Tightens Grip on Djiboutian Port

The Wall Street Journal published on 21 February 2019 an article titled "China Tightens Grip on East African Port" by Costas Paris.

China Merchants Port Holdings is asserting control of operations at Djibouti's Doraleh Container Terminal. The Djiboutian government has repeatedly said it alone controls the Doraleh terminal and has told the United States it has no plans to cede control of its maritime assets to Chinese state port operators. All supplies for the U.S. military base in Djibouti come through the port, potentially putting them at risk.

Russia-Africa Investment Forum

The Eurasia Review posted on 1 September 2018 an article titled "Russia-Africa Investment Forum Seeks To Promote Business Opportunities in Africa" by Kester Kenn Klomegah.

Russia will host in November at Dubai the first Russia-Africa Investment Forum since the fall of the Soviet Union. When asked why now, the managing director of this private sector event replied that Russian enterprises are in a stronger position today to capitalize on this opportunity than was the case a few decades ago. In addition, Western sanctions are forcing Russian companies to look at opportunities in other regions such as Africa.

Somaliland Drought: Diaspora and Mobile Banking to Rescue

The Gulf News published on 7 April 2017 an article titled "Did Adam Smith's Invisible Hand Rescue Somali Drought Victims?" by Bashir Goth, commentator on African issues.

The author reports how the Somali diaspora, using mobile banking, is providing much needed cash to relatives in Somaliland as drought devastates livestock in the Horn of Africa.

Interview with EthioSomali.com on Horn of Africa

EthioSomali.com asked me to comment on several questions related to the Horn of Africa and elections in the United States. It posted the interview on 10 October 2016.

The topics covered included my relationship with East Africa and the Horn, a summary of the current situation in South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia/Somaliland, the geopolitical importance of the port of Djibouti, DP World of Dubai's agreement to manage the port of Berbera, and the position of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on Africa.

Fly Dubai Operates 4 Flights a Week to Somaliland

Ventures Africa published on 10 June 2015 an article titled "Why Fly Dubai Is Operating Four Flights to 'Unknown' Somaliland Every Week" by Niyi Aderibigbe  The Dubai-based budget airline has just begun service between Dubai and Hargeisa.  It is targeting the Somali diaspora and saw an opportunity by operating in an under-served market.

China to Build "Dubai-like" City in Kenya

The Nairobi Sunday Nation reported earlier this month that Chinese investors plan to build outside Nairobi a $750 million "Dubai-like" city that is intended to be a major shopping destination for Chinese projects.  The Kenyan Construction Business Review questions if it is possible to build a project of this magnitude for $750 million in a piece published on 23 April 2014 titled "Can China Build 'Dubai' in Machakos for Sh65 bn?" by Danson Kagai. 

China's Premier Li Keqiang is scheduled to visit Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola and Nigeria from 4-11 May 2014.  He may use the occasion of the visit to Kenya to announce officially this major new project.

Strategic Importance of Djibouti

Chatham House published in April 2013 a briefing paper titled "Djibouti: Changing Influence in the Horn's Strategic Hub" by David Styan, Birkbeck College, University of London. 

The study emphasized the expansion of the US Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) base in Djibouti, the reconfiguration of France's military presence and the establishment of Japanese and other military facilities there.  Djibouti has become an international maritime and military laboratory where new forms of cooperation are being developed.

Djibouti has accelerated plans for regional economic integration. Building on close ties with Ethiopia, existing port upgrades and electricity grid integration will be enhanced by the development of the northern port of Tadjourah.  These strategic and economic shifts have yet to be matched by internal political reforms, and growth needs to be linked to strategies for job creation and a renewal of domestic political legitimacy.