'I Will Not Be Going': Zara Larsson Pulls Out of Abu Dhabi GP Amid Sudan War, Inside UAE-RSF Allegations

Zara Larsson has said she will not perform at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a fan urged her to reconsider the December show over allegations of UAE support for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), though the singer later stressed that her decision was based on 'many different personal reasons beyond politics.'

Larsson had been scheduled to perform on Thursday, 3 December, as part of the Yasalam After-Race Concerts at Etihad Live on Yas Island, alongside Lewis Capaldi.

Not Performing in Abu Dhabi

The 'Midnight Sun' singer's decision was first revealed in an Instagram exchange after a fan wrote: 'Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!'

Larsson replied: 'I will not be going to Abu Dhabi,' alongside a heart emoji. The exchange was later deleted, according to reports.

She subsequently gave a more detailed explanation in another comment.

'I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government,' Larsson wrote.

She said she had met 'so many wonderful people from every corner of the world' and added that she had thought about the decision before concluding that not doing the show 'aligns with me the most right now'.

Larsson also said her decision was based on 'many different personal reasons beyond politics' and suggested she might delete the comments and issue 'a better statement soon'.

According to Complex, Larsson's comments had not immediately been reflected on official event listings, with Ticketmaster and the Yasalam concert page still listing her for the 3 December performance.

As of 21 September, organisers had not publicly announced a revised performer lineup or updated official listings to reflect Larsson's withdrawal.

Sudan's War and the RSF

Sudan has been embroiled in a war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF. The conflict has caused a major humanitarian crisis, with around 14 million people forced to flee their homes since the war began, according to UN reporting.

The RSF has been accused by international investigators and rights groups of serious violations, including attacks on civilians. Both the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces have faced allegations of serious abuses during the conflict.

Allegations that the UAE has provided support to the RSF have drawn international scrutiny. The UAE has repeatedly denied providing military support to the paramilitary group.

Inside the UAE-RSF Allegations

Human Rights Watch has reported evidence indicating that UAE-linked entities and infrastructure were involved in the recruitment, training and deployment of Colombian private military contractors to Sudan in support of the RSF.

In May, Human Rights Watch reported that Colombian private military contractors apparently hired by a UAE-based company travelled through UAE military facilities before being deployed to Sudan in support of the RSF. The UAE denied claims that it recruited and trained foreign fighters on its territory.

A UN fact-finding mission reported in September 2026 that foreign military support, including weapons, technology, personnel and logistical assistance, was helping sustain the conflict.

The findings also pointed to networks in countries including the UAE as allegedly providing support to the RSF, although the UAE has denied backing the group.

Larsson's decision comes against the backdrop of an ongoing war and disputed allegations of UAE support for the RSF. Her own explanation, however, indicates that she has not described the decision solely as a political boycott.