United Nations identifies foreign networks fueling Sudan war

A United Nations investigation has identified transnational networks providing weapons, logistics, and foreign personnel to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing Sudanese civil war. The report, released by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, suggests that external actors are fueling the conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

Key findings include the involvement of entities based in the United Arab Emirates, which played a significant role in recruiting, financing, and deploying military contractors. The investigation also highlighted the presence of approximately 2,000 former Colombian military personnel acting as contractors. These individuals were reportedly involved in operating advanced weaponry, including combat drones and artillery systems, in regions such as Darfur and Kordofan.

The conflict, which began in 2023, has resulted in at least 59,000 deaths and displaced roughly 13 million people, pushing much of the nation toward famine. The UN report emphasizes that the war is not merely an internal power struggle but is being sustained by a complex international architecture of intermediaries and states using transit points in countries like Chad, Libya, and Somalia.