Amnesty International has revealed that the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are employing armored carriers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) equipped with French military technology in the ongoing Sudanese civil war. This development might signify a breach of the United Nations arms embargo on Sudan, specifically in the Darfur region, as outlined by Amnesty in a recent investigation.
The armored vehicles in question are manufactured by the UAE’s Edge Group and feature the French-designed Galix reactive defense system, designed to counter emergent threats. The RSF, engaged in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), have reportedly utilized these Nimr Ajban armoured personnel carriers (APCs) in combat scenarios. Amnesty International’s report verifies that some of these vehicles have been captured and destroyed by Sudanese army troops.
Amnesty’s findings, particularly the presence of these arms in Darfur, suggest potential violations of the UN arms embargo. Given Sudan’s volatile history with armed groups like the RSF, this arms transfer could aggravate the already precarious situation.
Amnesty International’s Secretary-General, Agnès Callamard, has issued an urgent appeal to the French government to stop supplying these systems to the UAE, contending that their use in Sudan infringes upon international arms regulations. In statements to the Guardian, UAE officials have refuted allegations of supplying weapons or support to the RSF.
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has claimed over 20,000 lives and displaced nearly 12 million people. The conflict continues to be exacerbated by the introduction of advanced weaponry, leading to severe human rights abuses such as ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, and mass displacements. UN officials, including Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, have emphasized the need for international actors to halt arms supplies to the region, warning that such transfers prolong violence and impede peace efforts.
The ongoing violence and claims by Amnesty International underscore the need for strict enforcement of arms embargoes to prevent further suffering in Sudan. This complex situation calls for continued attention from the international legal and defense community to explore measures that can encourage compliance with international regulations.