π€ Behind the Bloodshed: Unmasking the Billion-Dollar Business of Sudanβs Ongoing Conflict! π
In the night sky over Sudan, a series of unmarked cargo planes have been making regular flights from Abu Dhabi to Amjaras, a forgotten airstrip in eastern Chad, just 50 kilometers from the Sudanese border.
Over 18 months, these aircraft have completed 86 flights, each one unloading heavy metal crates stamped with UAE flags, before disappearing back into the night.
As these planes operated in secrecy, the death toll in Sudan continued to rise, with over 150,000 lives lost and 14.5 million people displacedβthe worldβs largest displacement crisis.
Children are dying at an alarming rate, yet amidst this devastation, someone is profiting.
The civil war in Sudan began as a power struggle between two generals: General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Muhammad Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemeti, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
However, what started as a political conflict has morphed into a grotesque marketplace where international arms dealers, mercenary recruiters, and foreign governments exploit the chaos for profit.
The arms flowing into Sudan are a testament to this dark transformation, showcasing a catalog of the global arms trade, including Chinese guided bombs, Iranian combat drones, and Turkish military hardwareβnewly manufactured despite a UN arms embargo in place since 2004.
Both factions are armed with state-of-the-art weaponry, with the RSF deploying Chinese GB50A guided bombs and the SAF utilizing Iranian drones.
The evidence is clear: these weapons are not remnants of past conflicts but fresh supplies arriving through a complex network of brokers and middlemen.
Among them is Algoni Hamdan Daglo Mosa, brother of RSF commander Hemeti, who has been sanctioned for leading efforts to supply weapons to the RSF.
His trading company, Trade Dive General Trading LLC, based in Dubai’s free trade zone, plays a pivotal role in this arms supply chain.
The arms trade is just one piece of a larger puzzle.
Gold has become a critical resource in this war economy, with the RSF controlling Sudan’s most lucrative gold mines.
Following the outbreak of war, RSF forces seized control of the Jabel army mine, previously sold to the government for $200 million, and raided the national gold refinery in Khartoum, stealing $150 million in gold bars.
This strategic resource capture has turned gold into a vital currency for funding the conflict.
The smuggling of gold from Sudan to the UAE is facilitated by a network of companies established by RSF-linked businessmen, allowing them to launder conflict gold and turn it into legitimate profits.
The gold is smuggled to Dubai, where it is refined and stripped of any markers that could trace it back to conflict zones.
This circular economy thrives on the war, with each transaction enriching middlemen while prolonging the suffering of the Sudanese people.
As the war rages on, foreign powers like the UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, and Iran are deeply entrenched in the conflict, each seeking to gain strategic advantages.
The UAE has emerged as a significant external profiteer, not only through immediate gold revenues but also by pursuing broader objectives such as control over Sudan’s resources and trade routes.
Meanwhile, Egypt views the RSF’s territorial gains as a direct threat and has mobilized military support for the SAF, while Turkey balances military support with diplomatic mediation to maximize profits.
The logistics of this war economy are complex, with chartered aircraft facilitating the transport of weapons and supplies, often operated by private airlines that provide plausible deniability for state sponsors.
Each flight costs tens of thousands of dollars, and the owners of these logistics companies remain obscured, often hiding behind shell companies to avoid scrutiny.
Fuel is another critical commodity in this war, with supplies coming from Libya and Russia to support the RSF’s operations.
The flow of arms, gold, and fuel is meticulously coordinated, creating a system where every shipment enriches someone while the humanitarian crisis deepens.
Even humanitarian aid is not spared from this exploitation, with aid convoys being extorted at checkpoints controlled by both warring parties.
As the conflict continues, the hidden billionaires of this war economy thrive in the shadows, profiting from the chaos while the civilian population suffers.
The grim reality is that the commercialization of this conflict has created a cycle of violence and exploitation that shows no signs of abating.
For every flight that delivers weapons, for every gold bar that changes hands, another child goes hungry, another family is displaced, and another life is lost.
In Sudan, the war isnβt just a battle for control; itβs a business model that benefits a select few at the expense of the many.
Until the international community disrupts these financial networks, enforces arms embargoes, and holds profiteers accountable, the cycle of violence will continue.
The sad truth about Sudan’s war is that peace is bad for business, and as long as there are profits to be made, the suffering of the Sudanese people will persist.
