$24 million Dubai property network linked to Sudan's RSF: report

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$24 million Dubai property network linked to Sudan’s RSF: report

April 28, 2026

DUBAI,—A new investigative report has raised fresh questions about the flow of money linked to Sudan’s powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and its connections to luxury real estate in Dubai.

The report, released by The Sentry, a group that tracks corruption and financial networks tied to conflict, says that family members and associates of RSF leaders control a property portfolio worth about $24 million in the United Arab Emirates.

The holdings include more than 20 properties, many of them located in the same gated community.

The RSF is led by Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, along with his brothers Abdelrahim and Algoney Dagalo.

All three have been sanctioned by international authorities. According to the report, some of the Dubai properties are owned directly or indirectly by relatives and linked companies connected to the family.

The Sentry says it reviewed leaked real estate records along with phone data and passport information to map out these connections.

When contacted, individuals identified as relatives of the Dagalo family did not deny their relationships. However, the report also notes that simply owning property does not, by itself, prove any illegal activity.

Still, investigators say the pattern of ownership raises concerns about how wealth tied to conflict may be stored abroad.

The report suggests that Dubai may serve as a safe place for both the assets and family members of RSF leaders.

The United Arab Emirates has strongly denied any support for the RSF. But this is not the first time such concerns have been raised.

The Sentry says this is its fourth report pointing to links between the RSF, the Dagalo family, and business activities in the UAE.

Earlier reports described companies tied to the RSF operating out of Dubai, as well as alleged connections between Emirati business figures and efforts to recruit foreign fighters to train the militia.

Another report highlighted the role of a UAE-based company, Prodigious Real Estate Management Supervision Services, in handling property linked to RSF leaders.

Other investigations, cited in the report, have claimed that weapons and drones have been supplied to the RSF, while gold is smuggled out of Sudan in return.

Some reports have also suggested that support may come from senior levels of leadership in the UAE, though these claims remain disputed.

The new findings also point to broader concerns about Dubai’s real estate market. According to The Sentry, the system still has weaknesses that can allow politically exposed individuals, people with close ties to power, to invest large amounts of money without enough scrutiny.

Although the UAE was removed from the Financial Action Task Force “grey list” in 2024, the report argues that enforcement gaps remain.

These include limited checks on property buyers, weak monitoring of suspicious transactions, and a lack of action against individuals accused of serious crimes such as fraud or corruption.

To address these issues, The Sentry is calling for stronger action from governments and financial institutions around the world.

One key recommendation is to tighten sanctions. While the United States has already taken steps against the owner of Prodigious, the report urges officials to formally add the company itself to a key sanctions list to make restrictions clearer and more effective.

It also calls on authorities in Europe and the United Kingdom to consider similar measures.

The report also stresses the need for better due diligence. Banks, real estate agents, and lawyers, especially in the UAE, should more carefully review clients and transactions that may involve RSF-linked individuals or companies.

This includes checking the source of funds and monitoring payments that could violate existing sanctions.

Law enforcement agencies are also encouraged to investigate the Dubai properties connected to the Dagalo family and related entities. The goal would be to determine whether the money used to purchase them came from legal sources.

Finally, the report calls for closer oversight by international regulators. It urges the Financial Action Task Force to focus on real estate during its next review of the UAE in 2026.

If progress is not made, the report suggests the country could be placed back on the grey list.

Overall, the findings highlight how global financial systems, including real estate markets, can become linked to conflicts far beyond their borders.

The report argues that without stronger oversight, such networks may continue to operate with limited accountability.

You can view the full Sentry report here in PDF format.

(With files from thesentry.org)