How gold keeps Sudan at war | Mapped Out

Key Concepts:

• Sudan war: Conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• Gold as a conflict resource: Gold mining and trade fueling the war in Sudan.
• Artisanal mining: Small-scale, independent mining using basic tools and often toxic chemicals.
• Regional powers: Involvement of the UAE and Egypt in the conflict, backing different sides.
• UAE as a gold hub: The United Arab Emirates' role in refining and trading Sudanese gold.
• Weaponry: The exchange of gold for weapons to fuel the conflict.

1. The Dark Side of Gold in Sudan's War

• The video highlights how gold is a major fuel for the ongoing brutal war in Sudan, which has been ongoing for over two years.
• The conflict started in Khartoum between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• The RSF seized the country's major gold refinery in Khartoum, reportedly taking $150 million worth of gold bars.
• Ahmed Soliman from Chatham House emphasizes that gold, which should be used to unify and improve Sudan, is instead being used to destroy and divide the country.

2. Key Players in the Conflict

• The two main warring parties are the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
• Burhan is Sudan's de-facto leader and represents Sudan at the United Nations.
• The SAF and RSF previously worked together to overthrow former authoritarian President Omar Al-Bashir after pro-democracy protests.
• The conflict is a battle for power and control over Sudan's resources, including gold, sesame seeds, livestock, and gum arabic.

3. Gold's Significance in the Sudanese Economy

• After South Sudan's independence in 2011, gold became Sudan's most valuable commodity.
• Gold is a significant source of income for the warring parties since the war broke out.
• The SAF and RSF control different parts of the country, including gold-producing regions.

4. Artisanal Mining and its Impact

• Suliman Baldo explains that the SAF controls regions with high gold production, while the RSF controls most artisanal mining areas.
• Artisanal mining involves using bare hands and toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide to extract gold.
• Around 80% of Sudan's gold production comes from artisanal mining.
• During the war, Songo became a crucial gold mining area for the RSF, with a processing factory.
• The RSF coerces artisanal miners into selling their tailings at under-market prices.
• The Sudanese Armed Forces have repeatedly bombed gold-rich areas under RSF control, endangering local miners.

5. Targeting Infrastructure and Trade Hubs

• Both sides are attempting to damage and destroy critical infrastructure, including trade hubs used for gold.
• Port Sudan, the Sudanese army's strategic hub and interim capital, was hit by RSF drone strikes in May 2025.
• Port Sudan is a vital entry point for humanitarian aid and a key exit point for goods, including gold.
• Nyala, a key hub for the RSF, has been repeatedly attacked by the Sudanese Armed Forces.
• Gold is flown out of Nyala airport, and weapons are flown in, indicating that gold is paying for weapons for both the RSF and SAF.

6. The Role of the UAE and Egypt

• Dubai is a major hub for gold, and a significant portion of the gold in the UAE comes from Africa, including Sudan.
• The UAE is reportedly giving the RSF weapons in exchange for gold, including artillery and drones.
• Mai Hassan states that the RSF would not exist without the UAE's backing.
• The UAE is a hub for refining gold, turning small bits of gold from artisanal mining into gold bars, which can cover up the gold's origin.
• The UAE is dominant in conflict gold not only in relation to Sudan but also to all conflict countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Egypt, run by a former general, is the main backer for the Sudanese Armed Forces.
• Egypt is opening its borders for gold coming from Sudan to boost its central bank's gold reserves.
• Gold from SAF territories is smuggled into Egypt, often using people fleeing the conflict.

7. The Complexity of the Gold Trade

• Gold from both the RSF and SAF ends up in the UAE due to the strong pull of the Dubai gold market.
• Both sides in the war are trading with the same external actor, the United Arab Emirates.
• The war has been intensified and prolonged because both sides have large-scale backing from regional powers.

8. International Involvement and Failed Efforts

• Along with the UAE and Egypt, other players are involved, providing military support or having strategic interests in the region, including gold.
• All efforts to end the fighting have failed so far.
• Any engagement to resolve the war must include a robust international coalition that factors in gold.

9. Conclusion

• The Sudanese conflict is deeply intertwined with the gold trade, with both warring parties relying on it to finance their operations. Regional powers like the UAE and Egypt are playing significant roles, often supporting opposing sides, further complicating the situation. The exploitation of artisanal miners and the environmental impact of mining practices add to the tragedy. A comprehensive international effort is needed to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure that Sudan's gold can be used for the country's reconstruction rather than its destruction.