The UN human rights office stated that Sudan's war economy, fueled by warring factions profiting from resources like gum arabic, is making the conflict self-perpetuating. Companies are urged to ensure they are not contributing to adverse human rights impacts.
The exploitation of Sudan's resources, particularly the vital gum arabic trade, by warring factions is directly funding the ongoing civil war, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and making peace efforts more challenging.
Sudan's warring factions are exploiting the country's resources to fund their operations, creating a "war economy" that perpetuates the conflict, according to the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR).
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan's regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in an estimated 200,000 deaths and displaced over 11 million people, pushing parts of the country into famine.
OHCHR reported that the control and exploitation of territory, trade routes, and commodities are key to funding military operations, making the war increasingly self-sustaining. The UN rights chief, Volker Türk, stated that Sudan's natural wealth should benefit its people, but instead, it is undermining human rights and driving conflict.
A specific focus was placed on the gum arabic trade, a vital export for Sudan, accounting for 70-80% of global crude exports before the war. Despite its importance for millions, those involved in the trade have faced looting, extortion, and threats from conflict parties and their allies. The report cited an incident in May 2025 where the RSF allegedly looted gum arabic stocks in West Kordofan state, disrupting local livelihoods.
Türk urged countries to enhance accountability, traceability, and regulatory oversight, emphasizing that companies cannot continue with business as usual when sourcing from conflict-affected value chains. He called for the disruption of the war economy and greater international attention to the commodities and trade routes that sustain it.