UN says gold, gum arabic trade fuels Sudan war

KHARTOUM, Sudan (MNTV) — The United Nations says Sudan’s ongoing conflict is being financed through the trade of gold and gum arabic, with both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused of exploiting the country’s natural resources to sustain the war.

In a report released Wednesday, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said gum arabic, a natural ingredient widely used in soft drinks, food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, has become an important source of revenue for armed groups.

The report said the RSF has looted gum arabic stocks, redirected trade routes and imposed taxes and fees on traders. It also documented cases of arbitrary detention, extortion and looting targeting people involved in the trade.

Before the conflict began in April 2023, Sudan supplied about 70 to 80% of the world’s crude gum arabic exports, providing income for an estimated five million people. Despite the war, the country remains a major global supplier of the commodity.

The UN said new smuggling routes have emerged through neighboring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, Kenya, Libya and Egypt, allowing the trade to continue despite the conflict.

The report also identified gold as a major source of funding for the warring parties. It said Sudan officially exported about 28 tonnes of gold worth around $1.6 billion in 2024 from government-controlled areas, while nearly half of the country’s gold production is believed to have been smuggled out.

The UN urged the international community to take stronger action to disrupt the trade networks that are helping finance the conflict, warning that Sudan’s natural resources are being used to prolong the war instead of benefiting its people.