Amnesty International has accused French weapons manufacturers of violating a UN arms embargo by supplying military technology being used by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s civil war. The report highlights the active use of the French-made Galix defense system in ongoing violence against the Sudanese army, emphasizing a failure in export controls and calling for immediate action from the French government.
Amnesty International has reported that French military technology is being utilized in the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, contravening a United Nations arms embargo. The organization revealed that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia group, is employing vehicles equipped with the French-designed Galix defense system in Darfur during its clashes with the Sudanese army. Amnesty Secretary General Agnès Callamard stated, “Our research shows that weaponry designed and manufactured in France is in active use on the battlefield in Sudan.” Despite these allegations, French authorities have not issued a response, while the United Arab Emirates, which supplies the RSF with these vehicles, has denied any involvement in arming the group.
The civil war in Sudan has escalated into severe violence and human rights violations since April 2023, when factions within the military turned against each other. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been engaged in brutal battles with Sudan’s national army under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The conflict has resulted in widespread reports of war crimes and has severely impacted civilian populations, with numerous deaths and displacements. The original UN arms embargo on Darfur was imposed in 2004 in response to allegations of ethnic cleansing perpetrated against non-Arab communities in the region. Amnesty International is now advocating for the expansion and enforcement of this embargo to encompass the entire country amidst the ongoing turmoil.
The findings by Amnesty International underscore serious violations of international law regarding arms transfers, especially concerning French-made military technology in Sudan. The organization’s call for stricter controls and cessation of arms supplies to conflict parties is critical as these actions contribute to human rights violations. The ongoing civil conflict continues to devastate communities, asserting the urgent need for global accountability and action against the proliferation of armaments in such volatile regions.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
