Darfur: the UN details the state of the forces and the financing of the armed groups

Sudanese troops secure the village of Tabit, Darfur.

(illustrative image) AFP PHOTO/ASHRAF SHAZLY

Text by: Léonard Vincent Follow

3 mins

The UN group of experts on Sudan released its latest report on Darfur on February 7.

In this document, of which RFI has obtained a copy, the continuous violations of the arms embargo are detailed, as well as the lucrative, commercial and mercenary activities, by which the armed groups finance themselves.

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In the galaxy of armed rebel groups born in Darfur, the most important is, according to UN experts, that of

.

Still officially in conflict with Khartoum, his stronghold is in the West, around Jebel Marra, where he operates a gold mine and always enlists new fighters.

But he has also extended his field of operation in Libya, where he operates as a " 

 ", with 300 pick-ups, in the triangle " 

 ", as well as in South Sudan, where he carries out lucrative agricultural and commercial activities.

The other dominant rebellion is that of

, originally from North Darfur.

However, a signatory to

with the Khartoum authorities , its leader officially being governor of Darfur, it is also active in Libya, with " 

 ", experts say.

Other more groupuscular movements are still active, depending on the circumstances.

But the rising player is, on the government side this time, the paramilitary force of the Rapid Support Forces of General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemeti”, the number two in the Sudanese junta.

► See also Libya: a first step taken on the issue of mercenaries and foreign fighters

UN experts reveal that the Rapid Support Forces also launched an " 

 " recruitment campaign in July 2022, particularly among " 

 ", in order to broaden its support base.

Traditional chiefs from the Fur and Misseriya Jebel communities have confessed that given 

 ", their communities had "no 

 " but to enlist their youth " 

 ”.

Regarding their sources of funding, the UN experts simply say: "As 

 »

Because apart from the Rapid Support Forces, which share power with the Sudanese army and whose income comes mainly from the gold trade, everything is happening for the rebellions, financially speaking, in Libya.

However, while experts estimate at $1.2 million a year the profit that has been made by Sudanese armed groups to man checkpoints or serve as a proxy force in this country over the past five years, this source has dried up. "

 " from October 2021, and the signing of a fragile agreement between the Libyan forces in the east and west of the country.

The latter, led by

, relied on the Darfurian groups as a proxy force.

The armed group of Abdelwahid al-Nur therefore now derives its main resources from a gold mine in Jebel Marra, the product of which is exported and sold via South Sudan, experts say.

He also operates farms, including sesame and sesame oil, in South Sudan, including making his prisoners work.

And it collects a tax from some Four traders.

The other groups ensure, for example, the transport of smuggled water and petrol between Libya, Sudan and Chad.

They sometimes extort trucks crossing the desert or sell vehicles or spare parts, even their weapons, in Sudan.

Some, although signatories to the Juba agreement with the authorities in Khartoum, also traffic " 

 " and " 

 ", say the experts .

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