Amnesty International has accused French military technology of being utilized in the Sudanese civil war by the Rapid Support Forces, violating a UN arms embargo. The Galix defense system, produced by French companies, is reportedly in use against Sudan’s national army in Darfur. Amnesty urges the French government to cease supplying this military equipment to the UAE, highlighting the risk of serious human rights violations connected to these actions.
Amnesty International has reported that French military technology is being utilized by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which violates a United Nations arms embargo. The RSF is employing vehicles equipped with the Galix defense system, manufactured in France, to engage in combat within the Darfur region against Sudan’s national army. Despite these allegations, French authorities have refrained from commenting, while the United Arab Emirates, the source of the weaponry, has denied providing arms to the RSF. Amnesty has documented evidence and urged the French government to halt any further supply of this system to the UAE, emphasizing the potential for these weapons to be used in severe human rights violations.
The backdrop of this situation is the civil war that erupted in Sudan in April 2023, primarily in the context of a power struggle between the RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and the Sudanese regular army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The United Nations implemented an arms embargo in the Darfur region in 2004 due to accusations of ethnic cleansing. Amnesty International is now calling for an expansion of this embargo to encompass the entirety of Sudan and to enhance monitoring mechanisms given the deteriorating humanitarian situation. The RSF has been accused of committing atrocities in Darfur, claims they deny, attributing wrongdoing to local militias instead.
In conclusion, the allegations presented by Amnesty International highlight a significant concern regarding the role of French military technology in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The use of the Galix defense system by the RSF amidst the civil war raises critical questions about international arms control and accountability. Given the humanitarian implications, there is an urgent call for action to prevent further escalation and ensure compliance with international arms embargoes.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
