Armoured Vehicles and International Arms Tangle in Sudan Conflict

French-equipped armoured vehicles made in the UAE have been captured in Sudan's civil war, allegedly breaching a UN arms embargo. The UAE denies supplying weapons to the RSF. Amnesty International's report highlights the involvement of French defense systems in this ongoing conflict causing massive human rights violations.

In the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, armoured vehicles manufactured in the United Arab Emirates, equipped with sophisticated French defense systems, have come under scrutiny. Amnesty International claims these vehicles were captured by the Sudanese army from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

According to a report by the rights group, the presence of UAE-made armoured personnel carriers in Sudan, including the tumultuous Darfur region, likely violates a United Nations arms embargo. The embargo explicitly prohibits the transfer of arms into the country, fueling the prolonged war initiated in April 2023.

The report further unearthed that the Galix defense system from France, designed for vehicle protection, is being used by the RSF. Amnesty urges France to cease system supplies to the UAE, while the UAE denies any arms support to Sudan's warring factions, contending disinformation efforts against its humanitarian role.

(With inputs from agencies.)