Sudan's Proxies and the Global Drone Marketplace
This incident is not an isolated act of localized violence but a symptom of a broader, well-established network of power and profit. THE ACTORS: Who facilitates the bloodshed? The primary actors are the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), locked in a conflict that has displaced millions since April 2023. However, these forces are not self-sufficient. Key external
players include nations like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has reportedly supplied the RSF with drones and other military hardware, and Russia, known for its strategic interests in African mineral resources and military influence (Human Rights Watch, 2023). Other arms manufacturers from Turkey and China have also been identified as significant suppliers to various factions across the
continent. THE FUNDING: Where does the money flow? The RSF, originally formed from Janjaweed militias, controls significant gold mines in Darfur, providing a direct revenue stream for arms purchases. Estimates place Sudan's gold exports at approximately $1.9 billion annually, much of which bypasses official channels to fund these military operations (The Sentry, 2022). External powers like the UAE
funnel economic aid and investments, often with implicit military support, which then frees up resources for drone acquisitions. The price of an off-the-shelf military drone can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on its sophistication and payload capacity. THE INCENTIVES: Why empower proxies? For external powers, the incentives are multifaceted. The UAE seeks to project