French Military Technology Allegedly Fuels Sudan’s Civil War

Recent reports from Amnesty International indicate that French military technology is being utilized in Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, which is in violation of a United Nations arms embargo. The organization highlights that vehicles equipped with French hardware are currently employed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in the Darfur region as they engage in combat with the national army.

According to Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard, the evidence suggests that weaponry designed and manufactured in France is actively functioning on the battlefields of Sudan.

French officials have yet to respond to these serious allegations, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE), believed to be supplying these vehicles, has previously refuted claims of arming the RSF.

Concerns Over Human Rights Violations

The report points to the Galix defense system, produced by French companies KNDS and Lacroix, as a key component used by land forces to defend against close-range attacks. Amnesty International warns that this weaponry could exacerbate human rights violations amid ongoing violence.

• The organization has demanded that the French government ensure immediate cessation of supplies to the UAE.
• Verified images shared by Amnesty show destroyed vehicles with the Galix system prominently displayed.

Amnesty insists that if France cannot guarantee through robust export controls that arms will not end up in Sudan’s conflict zones, it should refrain from authorizing any such military transfers.

Since 2004, when an arms embargo was first imposed on Darfur due to allegations of ethnic cleansing, Amnesty has called for an expansion of this embargo throughout Sudan. They advocate for stronger monitoring mechanisms following last year’s outbreak of civil war.

Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been clashing with Sudan’s regular army commanded by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since April 2023. The power struggle between these former allies has escalated into violent confrontations.

Both factions stand accused of war crimes amid allegations of ethnic cleansing in Darfur—a claim the RSF denies while attributing blame to local militias. As this brutal conflict continues, thousands have lost their lives and millions have been displaced from their homes.

As international scrutiny intensifies regarding arms supplies to Sudan’s warring factions, there is a growing call for all nations to halt both direct and indirect military support.

The future stability of Sudan remains uncertain as humanitarian crises deepen, emphasizing the need for global attention and intervention in this volatile region.