Sudan’s brutal civil war is allegedly sustained by a massive, illicit gold trade. Warring factions profit from this trade by smuggling gold through neighbouring countries to international markets. Peace and ending starvation will depend on ending the flow of ‘blood gold’ and holding all beneficiaries accountable.
Vast quantities of gold, valued in the billions of dollars, are being illicitly moved out of Sudan in multiple directions. This outflow is igniting a surge in gold mining throughout the Sahel region of the country, establishing it as a major global gold producer precisely when international gold prices are reaching unprecedented peaks.
Tragically, this immense wealth is not being utilised to alleviate the suffering of millions of Sudanese civilians displaced and facing starvation.
UN experts have raised the alarm over worsening hunger in Sudan, accusing the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of deploying “starvation tactics” against the population. Nearly all of the country’s internally displaced people—an estimated 97 percent—as well as millions still trapped in conflict zones, are now facing severe levels of hunger.
Instead, Sudan’s warring sides are exploiting the gold trade as a financial engine for their violent struggle. Sudan possesses significant gold reserves, and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM) constitutes the majority of its gold production.
This sector, often operating outside formal regulatory frameworks, has become a battleground for control and a vital source of income for both the SAF and the RSF.
The competition for control over gold mining sites and distribution channels was a significant factor contributing to the outbreak of the civil war. The multi-billion-dollar gold trade allows these factions to finance their military operations, procure weapons, and sustain their power.
The flow of Sudanese gold extends beyond the country’s borders, deeply intertwining the conflict with the wider region. Neighbouring countries like Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, and South Sudan serve as transit points for the gold, often making its way to international hubs, most notably the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE has emerged as a critical node in this network, acting as a major destination for Sudanese gold and a financial centre where both warring parties conduct transactions.
Several external actors stand to benefit, at least in the short term, from Sudan’s conflict-driven gold trade…to read more click here.