The conflict in Sudan is being fuelled by a constant flow of weapons into the country, Amnesty International said in a new briefing. The briefing, New Weapons Fuelling Sudan Conflict, documents how recently manufactured foreign weapons have been transferred into and around Sudan, often in flagrant breach of the existing Darfur arms embargo.

Amnesty International found that recently manufactured or recently transferred weapons and ammunition from countries including China, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen are being imported in large quantities into Sudan, and then in some cases diverted into Darfur. Sarsilmaz, Türkiye’s main small arms manufacturer, supplies the SAF... Sarsilmaz stated that the company ”indubitably and unconditionally respected and paid regard to Universal Human Rights throughout its operations” and that the” export of Sarsılmaz products had taken place for the use of the Sudanese state security agencies before the ongoing crisis started in the region” ...

Analysis of trade data also revealed how smaller Turkish companies – such as Derya Arms, BRG Defense and Dağlıoğlu Silah – have also been exporting Turkish hunting shotguns and rifles to Sudan in recent years. For instance, one video posted by the RSF on its official X account, reportedly filmed in Nyala in South Darfur on 15 February 2024, shows one RSF soldier equipped with a BRG 55 rifle manufactured by the Turkish company Burgu Metal. Amnesty International also uncovered evidence that recently manufactured Chinese mortars have been used in El-Daein in East Darfur, and that recent Chinese small arms are also widely present in other parts of Sudan...The Armored Group (the manufacturer of the Terrier LT-79) claims to abide by all local and international export regulations and sanctions, including those imposed by the United Nations Security Council and unequivocally states it has never exported armored vehicles to Sudan. Shell Special Vehicles also stated that they have never exported Armored Personnel Carriers to Sudan...

“Given the grave and ongoing human rights risks, all states and corporate actors must immediately cease supplies of all arms and ammunition to Sudan, including the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and military materials, including related technologies, parts and components, technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance. States must also explicitly prohibit the transfer to Sudan of firearms marketed to civilians, which Amnesty International has repeatedly documented in the hands of parties to the conflict.”

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