UAE Investment in Manchester Spurs Calls for Mayoral Candidates to Address Human-Rights Concerns

Human Rights Watch reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has invested “billions of pounds” in Manchester and its football club Manchester City. Through the Manchester Life Development Company (MLDC), a joint venture ultimately controlled by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE gains “valuable reputational cover” while allegedly backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. HRW’s May 2026 report links Emirati-funded bases to Colombian private-military contractors who fought alongside the RSF during its October 2025 takeover of El Fasher, North Darfur’s capital. In February 2026, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office added three Colombian nationals to the UK sanctions list for facilitating that mercenary activity.

Human Rights Watch

The UAE’s financial ties to Manchester City Council have been described as a “close financial relationship” that extends to joint commercial ventures with city officials.

Human Rights Watch

Joey Shea, senior Saudi Arabia and UAE researcher at HRW, argues that “Manchester City Council’s ties to Emirati officials have given the UAE’s government valuable reputational cover while it backs forces committing atrocities in Sudan.” Alex Carlen, research and advocacy manager at FairSquare, adds that “Manchester’s next mayor should be willing to stand up to the UAE given its domestic repression and support for the abusive RSF in Sudan.” Both NGOs urge mayoral candidates to pledge:

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• Press the UAE to end RSF support.

Human Rights Watch

• Conduct human-rights due diligence on UAE-linked investments.

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• Engage directly with Emirati representatives and human-rights defenders.

Human Rights Watch

• Investment amount: “billions of pounds”.

Human Rights Watch

• Sanctions: three Colombian nationals added to the UK Sanctions List in February 2026 (UK Foreign Office).

Human Rights Watch

• RSF activity: involvement in the October 2025 El Fasher takeover, with Colombian fighters observed on the ground.

Human Rights Watch

• “Manchester City Council’s ties to Emirati officials have given the UAE’s government valuable reputational cover while it backs forces committing atrocities in Sudan,” — Joey Shea, senior Saudi Arabia and UAE researcher at Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch

• “Manchester’s next mayor should be willing to stand up to the UAE given its domestic repression and support for the abusive RSF in Sudan,” — Alex Carlen, research and advocacy manager at FairSquare

Human Rights Watch

The HRW analysis, dated July 8 2026 (photo of Manchester officials), underscores the intersection of foreign investment, local governance, and international human-rights accountability, urging forthcoming mayoral candidates to make the UAE’s record a central campaign issue.

Human Rights Watch