NAIROBI (KAAB TV) – In a harrowing revelation, Amnesty International’s latest briefing highlights how a continuous influx of weapons is exacerbating the conflict in Sudan, leading to severe civilian suffering.
The report, “New Weapons Fuelling the Sudan Conflict,” underscores how foreign-manufactured arms are being imported and circulated within Sudan, often violating the existing Darfur arms embargo.
The investigation reveals that countries such as China, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen have been supplying Sudan with large quantities of newly manufactured or recently transferred weapons and ammunition.
These arms are not only entering Sudan but are also being redirected to conflict zones like Darfur.
Since the escalation of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, over 16,650 people have lost their lives.
Amnesty International has documented numerous civilian casualties resulting from indiscriminate strikes and targeted attacks.
The organization asserts that some of these actions constitute war crimes. Additionally, more than 11 million people have been internally displaced, with millions facing the imminent threat of famine.
“The constant flow of arms into Sudan is continuing to cause civilian death and suffering on an immense scale,” stated Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Regional Human Rights Impact. “Our research shows that weapons entering the country have been placed into the hands of combatants who are accused of international humanitarian and human rights law violations.”
Amnesty International’s comprehensive analysis involved scrutinizing over 1,900 shipment records and reviewing approximately 2,000 photos and videos. The organization also conducted interviews with 17 regional arms and Sudan experts to validate their findings.
A Global Trade in Death
Amnesty International identified a range of small arms and ammunition, including advanced drone jammers, mortars, and anti-materiel rifles from China, being used by both sides of the conflict. The RSF has also employed recently manufactured armored personnel carriers from the UAE. Shipment data indicates that Turkish companies have exported hundreds of thousands of blank guns and millions of blank cartridges to Sudan, which may be converted into lethal weapons within the country.
The report highlights an alarming trend of civilian-marketed small arms being diverted to government forces and armed groups. Companies in Türkiye and Russia have exported civilian variants of firearms to Sudan, which are then used by combatants. Weapons like the Tigr designated marksman rifles and Saiga-MK rifles from Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern, typically aimed at civilian gunowners, have been sold to arms dealers linked to the SAF.
Turkish small arms manufacturer Sarsilmaz supplies the SAF, and smaller Turkish companies have exported hunting shotguns and rifles to Sudan. For instance, a video posted by the RSF on its official X account, reportedly filmed in Nyala, South Darfur, shows an RSF soldier with a BRG 55 rifle made by Turkish company Burgu Metal. Additionally, Chinese mortars and small arms have been documented in various parts of Sudan.
“The UN Security Council must urgently expand the arms embargo to the rest of Sudan, and also strengthen its monitoring and verification mechanisms,” urged Muchena. “The expansion must effectively monitor and prevent international transfers and illicit diversion of arms to the country, and must cover the widest possible scope of weapons.”
A Call for Global Action
Amnesty International is advocating for an immediate halt to arms supplies to Sudan. They emphasize that states and corporate entities must cease all forms of arms and ammunition transfer, including related technologies, training, and financial assistance. They also call for a prohibition on transferring civilian-marketed firearms to Sudan.
The Sudan conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the SAF and RSF paramilitaries, has drawn in other armed groups, escalating the violence. The fighting, triggered by disputes over security force reforms and transitional government negotiations, has caused widespread civilian displacement. Over 7.3 million people have been internally displaced, and an additional 2.1 million have fled to neighboring countries, living in dire conditions.
In response, Amnesty International has launched a global petition urging the UN Security Council to extend the arms embargo beyond Darfur to all of Sudan, as part of a broader campaign to protect civilians and ensure accountability for atrocities committed during the conflict.