Sudan: How does the army obtain weapons?

31st August 2024

2 minutes read

Sudan: How does the army obtain weapons?

The army relies on mercenaries from foreign countries, receives support from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, as well as from Russia, and officially declares it.

More than 16 months after the ongoing military confrontations in Sudan began, questions are being raised about the mechanism through which the Sudanese army replenishes its battlefield losses, which continue to grow each day.

The war between the two sides broke out on April 15, 2023, following disagreements over the duration and manner of integrating the Rapid Support Forces into the army, as stipulated in the framework agreement supported by the United Nations and civilian forces seeking democracy.

The war, which began in the capital Khartoum, has spread to 14 Sudanese states, prompting military and security experts to question how both parties continue to acquire weapons.

Evidence points to the continued flow of weapons to the Sudanese army from external sources, further deepening the country’s internal crisis and raising growing concerns about the fate of civilians caught in the middle of this conflict. According to reliable sources, the company “Avia Kon Zeta Trans,” owned by Russian businessman Dmitri, is carrying out arms transfers from the Republic of Mali to Port Sudan airport to support the Sudanese army. The route of a cargo plane belonging to the company was tracked: it departed from Port Sudan on August 26, returned from Mali’s capital Bamako on August 29, and headed back to Port Sudan, indicating continued transfers of weapons and equipment into the country.

Fueling the Internal Conflict

These actions reflect the Sudanese army’s increasing reliance on external support to bolster its military capabilities in the face of internal challenges. While the Sudanese people are looking for peaceful solutions to the crisis, the continuous flow of weapons remains a driving factor in the conflict and raises questions about the army’s commitment to ending the war and seeking a peaceful resolution to alleviate the citizens’ suffering. Instead of focusing on achieving stability and building a better future for Sudan, the army is turning to foreign entities to supply it with weapons, further complicating the situation both on the ground and politically in the country.

Priority to Civilian Safety

Amid the ongoing conflict, civilian safety must be a top priority. Civilians, including children and women, are increasingly at risk due to escalating violence and continued fighting. With each flight carrying weapons into the country, the threat to innocent lives, who play no part in this conflict, renews. It is essential that efforts focus on protecting civilians and preventing any escalation that could endanger their lives.