Sudan's Shadow War: The Geopolitical Price of Manufactured Chaos
THE ACTORS: Who funds the chaos? The conflict pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While presented as an internal power struggle, both factions have external support. The RSF leadership, specifically Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), has cultivated relationships and secured deals with regional and international powers. Hemeti's paramilitary forces have been
linked to engagements in Yemen and Libya, reportedly receiving payments from Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their participation. The SAF, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, also benefits from foreign military aid and political backing, particularly from Egypt and, at times, Russia. THE FUNDING: A resource-rich nation's curse Sudan's vast gold reserves are a primary motivator. Reports indicate the RSF,
through companies controlled by Hemeti's family, has direct control over significant gold mining operations. These operations are reportedly facilitated by networks involving Russian entities, like Wagner Group affiliates (e.g., M Invest, 2022 UN report), which exchange gold for military support and training. For instance, gold exports from areas controlled by the RSF have reportedly bypassed
official channels, generating illicit revenue that fuels their war machine. In 2022 alone, an estimated $2.5 billion worth of gold was smuggled out of Sudan, much of it benefiting the RSF (Al Jazeera, 2023). THE INCENTIVES: Gold, strategic access, and proxy power For external actors, Sudan offers geostrategic importance, controlling access to the Red Sea and bordering seven nations in a volatile