Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a report on Monday detailing the influx of foreign-made weapons to the warring parties in Sudan.
The report, titled “Fanning the Flames,” is based on a comprehensive analysis of photographs, videos, and satellite imagery, identifying the use of foreign-made weapons, including armed drones, rocket launchers, and anti-tank missiles, which have been used on apparently illegal attacks on civilians. HRW’s analysis of photos, videos, and satellite imagery reveals that these weapons were likely acquired after the conflict began, tracing military equipment from China, Russia, Iran, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The UN has imposed an arms embargo in the Darfur region of Sudan since 2004, prohibiting the sale or supply of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to all belligerents in the region. Despite this, HRW’s report highlights several claims that Russia, China, Türkiye, and the UAE have violated this embargo. Allegations pointing to UAE involvement in Darfur through weapon deliveries taking place through Chad first emerged in June 2023. This was later confirmed by an assessment of the UN Panel of Experts on the Sudan in January 2024. The UAE government has denied these allegations, claiming that any activity related to Sudan is purely humanitarian, focusing on the construction of a field hospital near the Sudanese border in Chad to support Sudanese refugees.
Since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in April 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that over 10 million civilians, accounting for more than 20 percent of Sudan’s population, have been displaced by the conflict. Groups like HRW and the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan have accused both the RSF and the SAF of targeting civilians, ethnically motivated attacks, and widespread sexual violence. Doctors Without Borders has alleged claims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and serious human rights violations, particularly in the Darfur region.
Based on the report’s findings, HRW calls for immediate international action, urging the United Nations to strictly enforce and expand the existing Darfur arms embargo to cover all of Sudan. Additionally, HRW recommends the imposition of sanctions on individuals and entities that are found to violate the embargo.
