Amnesty International Reports Use of French Weapons in Sudan’s Civil War Despite UN Embargo
Amnesty International has issued a report indicating that French military technology is being used by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s civil war, violating a UN arms embargo. The report highlights a specific defense system, Galix, produced in France, and calls for the French government to prevent further arms sales to the UAE. Both the RSF and Sudanese army face accusations of serious human rights violations, resulting in significant civilian suffering.
Amnesty International has reported that military technology from France is being deployed in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, constituting a violation of a United Nations arms embargo. The organization claims that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia is utilizing vehicles from the United Arab Emirates equipped with French-made Galix defense systems in the conflict-ridden Darfur region. Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard stated, “Our research shows that weaponry designed and manufactured in France is in active use on the battlefield in Sudan.” French officials have not responded to these allegations, while the UAE has previously refuted claims of supplying arms to the RSF. Amnesty underlined that such weaponry could facilitate significant human rights violations, urging the French government to halt shipments to the UAE. This situation is compounded by the existing UN arms embargo imposed on Darfur since 2004 due to ethnic cleansing allegations. Amnesty has called for an expansion of this embargo to encompass the entirety of Sudan and has advocated for enhanced monitoring to prevent arms supply to the warring factions. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been engaged in a brutal conflict with the regular Sudanese army under the command of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since April 2023, following an internal power struggle. Both combatants have been implicated in severe war crimes, resulting in thousands of casualties and millions displaced, particularly in Darfur, where ethnic cleansing has been alleged. Amnesty has reiterated its call for a complete cessation of all arms supplies, direct or indirect, to the conflicting parties in Sudan.
The current civil conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, as the RSF and the regular army vied for power in a brutal struggle. The United Nations has maintained an arms embargo on the Darfur region since 2004, responding to reports of grave human rights violations, including ethnic cleansing. This embargo was established to prevent further escalation of violence against non-Arab populations in the region. Amidst the ongoing warfare, Amnesty International has reported the usage of French-produced military technology by the RSF, which highlights the challenges in enforcing the arms embargo and the implications for human rights within a war-torn context.
In conclusion, the use of French military technology by the RSF in Sudan’s civil war raises significant concerns regarding compliance with the UN arms embargo, as well as the potential for severe human rights violations. Amnesty International’s findings underscore the necessity of rigorous arms control measures and an expansion of the embargo to safeguard vulnerable populations. The role of international companies and governments in supplying arms amidst ongoing conflicts necessitates urgent attention and action to prevent complicity in human rights abuses.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
