Human Rights Watch Reveals Warring Factions in Sudan Possess Modern Foreign-Made Weapons

Amsterdam, September 9, 2024 – A recent report by Human Rights Watch has exposed that warring factions in Sudan have acquired modern foreign-made weapons and equipment, which are being used in the ongoing conflict.

The report, released on Monday, highlights the emergence of images of equipment not previously known to be in the possession of Sudanese actors, some of which began to be used repeatedly months after the conflict began. The report notes that the warring parties may have obtained these weapons after April 2023.

Analysis of Photos and Videos

Human Rights Watch analyzed 49 photos and videos showing weapons and equipment used or seized since the conflict in Sudan began in April 2023. The pictures were published on Facebook, Telegram, TikTok, and X, and mostly show the fighters themselves.

None of the images analyzed were online before April 2023. The report explains that it analyzed the language, accent, or dress of the individuals in the images to determine their authenticity.

Modern Weapons and Equipment

Human Rights Watch has documented the use of equipment that has been newly developed abroad, including armed drones, truck-mounted multi-launch rocket launchers, drone jammers, and anti-tank guided missiles, in Sudanese regions outside Darfur, such as Kordofan and Khartoum.

The report indicates that warring factions in Sudan received new equipment after the war broke out, including various types of drones, truck-mounted multi-barrel rocket launchers, drone jammers, and anti-tank guided missiles.

Origin of the Equipment

According to the report, the new equipment identified by Human Rights Watch was produced by companies registered in China, Iran, Russia, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates. There is no evidence that any of this equipment was manufactured in Sudan, although some, such as the Big Mohajer 6 drone, may have been assembled in the country.

Recommendations

Human Rights Watch emphasized that further investigations are needed to determine how the warring parties in Sudan obtained the weapons and other equipment identified by Human Rights Watch and exactly when these acquisitions took place.

The organization called on the Security Council to maintain the current sanctions regime on Sudan, which despite its limitations provides UN and council members with in-depth reports on the conflict in Sudan and identifies alleged violations of sanctions.

Human Rights Watch also called on the Council to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations that violate the existing arms embargo on Darfur and to publicly condemn individual governments violating the existing arms embargo imposed by the Security Council on Darfur.

The report emphasizes the need to draw up a list of items that fall under the category of dual-use items and should restrict transfers to Sudan or at least Darfur, subject to Committee approval.

Human Rights Watch called on UN member states, particularly with concerned regional states, to press for action in the UN Security Council to enforce the current arms embargo and extend it to cover the entire country.

The organization emphasized the suspension of arms, weapons, and other military equipment transfers to Sudan, consistent with applicable agreements governing the transfer of arms and other military and paramilitary equipment, including dual-use equipment.