The United Nations has sounded the alarm over the role of Sudan’s war economy in sustaining the prolonged and violent conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict is being funded by revenues from commodities such as gum arabic, a key export essential in global markets for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This persistent economic dependency on conflict-ridden industries undermines peace efforts and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to a report by the UN, a complex interplay of commerce, territorial control, and military operations has led to a continuous cycle of conflict. The significant profits extracted from commodities such as gold, livestock, and agricultural products are being funneled back into sustaining the war. The control over these resources and the trade routes facilitates a “self-perpetuating” cycle of violence, as highlighted in a recent analysis by JURIST.
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has underscored that the wealth generated from Sudan’s natural resources is not advancing the welfare of its citizens. Instead, it fuels violations of human rights and propels further instability. The UN’s report particularly emphasized the role of gum arabic, where the global value chain has been compromised amid significant human rights abuses. The livelihoods of those involved in the trade have been marred by arbitrary detentions and systemic looting.
The situation in Sudan has deteriorated further as the armed conflict disrupts formal trade channels, facilitates smuggling, and leads to illicit taxation, fragmenting export routes and reducing the traceability of gum arabic. As reported by Al Jazeera, such practices create a shared responsibility among Sudanese authorities, neighboring countries, and international corporations to address this detrimental trade.
Türk has urged global stakeholders involved in the trade of Sudanese commodities to adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Emphasizing the necessity for robust human rights due diligence, he called for stronger scrutiny on trade routes and intermediaries to prevent further violations and support efforts to end the conflict.
As the conflict persists into its third year, Sudan continues to grapple with a humanitarian crisis marked by severe malnutrition, displacement, and the collapse of essential services, as detailed in a comprehensive report by Reuters. The international community’s response has been further hampered by diminishing humanitarian aid, complicating efforts to stabilize the region.