The Drone Economy of Perpetual Conflict
THE ACTORS: Who funds the destruction? The primary actors in the Sudanese conflict involve the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemedti' Dagalo. The UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, condemned the civilian casualties. However, the critical actors are the external states and private entities
supplying the advanced weaponry, particularly the drones. While specific suppliers are rarely identified in UN reports, the proliferation of military drones globally means numerous nations, from Turkey and China to Iran and UAE, possess the capability and often the motive to supply such systems to proxies. THE FUNDING: Tracing the digital war chest The financing of these drone operations is
complex. The SAF, as the formal military, draws on state resources, but also receives support from a network of regional allies. The RSF, originating from the Janjaweed militias, built its economic power through gold mining concessions, particularly in Darfur. It is estimated the RSF's gold operations generated billions of dollars annually prior to the conflict (The Sentry, 2019), allowing for
independent procurement of military hardware. External patrons, seeking influence or resources, often provide indirect financial support or facilitate weapons transfers. The cost of advanced drones, while significant, is a fraction of the geopolitical returns for those seeking to destabilize or control regions like Sudan. For instance, a single advanced military drone can cost millions, but its