Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar’s forces have been clandestinely supplying smuggled fuel to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the behest of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a report by the US-based watchdog, The Sentry. This illicit activity, which has escalated into a national crisis for Libya, costing the country approximately $6.7 billion annually, is also exacerbating the deadly conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese army and the RSF. The report highlights how Haftar’s loyalty to the UAE has made him a key enabler of the RSF’s operations, particularly in the Darfur region, where the paramilitary group has been accused of systematic atrocities, including murder and sexual violence against civilians. The RSF’s mobility and tactical operations in Darfur are heavily reliant on the persistent flow of diesel and gasoline provided by Haftar’s forces. Additionally, the Haftar family has strengthened its strategic control in southeastern Libya through this illegal trade. The report also implicates Russia as a beneficiary of Libya’s fuel smuggling, which supports Moscow’s military activities in sub-Saharan Africa. Fuel smuggling, a long-standing issue in Libya, has surged since the current government took office in 2021, with more than half of the imported fuel being siphoned off by criminal networks. This has led to severe economic consequences for Libya, including a $20 billion loss in revenue, exacerbating fiscal imbalance, currency depreciation, and inflation. Despite pledges to reform fuel subsidies, the surge in smuggling persists, undermining Libya’s legitimate economy and further entrenching the power of its incumbent rulers.