Amnesty International: French Military Equipment in Sudan Violates UN Arms Embargo
Amnesty International’s investigation identifies the use of French military technology in African conflicts, specifically within armoured personnel carriers manufactured in the UAE and deployed by Sudanese forces. This indicates a violation of the UN arms embargo on Darfur, prompting urgent calls for action to prevent further human rights abuses and uphold international law surrounding arms exports.
A recent investigation by Amnesty International has revealed that French military technology is being utilized in armoured personnel carriers (APCs) manufactured in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and deployed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. This use of military equipment potentially contravenes the UN arms embargo imposed on Darfur. Specifically, the French-designed Galix defense system, originally developed to protect military vehicles from threats, is now in operational use in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, raising significant human rights concerns. Amnesty International’s findings indicate that the Nimr Ajban APCs, which are produced by the Edge Group in the UAE, have been outfitted with the Galix system. The existence of this technology on vehicles captured by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has been documented through verified social media posts. The Galix system, developed by Lacroix Defence along with Nexter, serves to obscure fighting vehicles from enemy threats by deploying decoys and smoke, and its functionality directly impacts the conduct of hostilities in conflict zones. The Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnès Callamard, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Our research shows that weaponry designed and manufactured in France is in active use on the battlefield in Sudan… The French government must ensure that Lacroix Defence and KNDS France immediately stop the supply of this system to the UAE.” Amnesty urges immediate action to cease the flow of arms to Sudan from any nations, highlighting the ongoing human suffering in the region.
Amnesty International has long been involved in monitoring human rights violations across the globe, including the arms trade’s impact on conflict regions. This latest investigation highlights the relationship between France and the UAE in military technology transfers. The UN arms embargo on Darfur has been in place since 1994 to mitigate human suffering caused by conflict, yet the loopholes enable further complications. The use of French military systems in Sudan raises concerns about compliance with international law and the responsibilities of nations and companies in ensuring arms exported do not contribute to violations of human rights or humanitarian law.
Amnesty International is calling for an immediate halt to all arms supplies destined for Sudan and urges the French government to take responsibility for the military technology exported to the UAE. The presence of French weaponry in conflict underscores the need for comprehensive human rights due diligence procedures to prevent complicity in human rights abuses. Furthermore, the organization advocates for an expansion of the arms embargo on Darfur to encompass all of Sudan to fortify enforcement measures and protect civilian lives.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
