Amnesty International has uncovered evidence that French-manufactured military technology, integrated into armoured personnel carriers (APCs) produced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is being used in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. This development may violate the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur.
Amnesty’s investigation reveals that the Nimr Ajban APCs, produced by the UAE’s Edge Group, are equipped with the French-made Galix reactive defence system. These vehicles, currently deployed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, feature the Galix system, which has been identified on captured or destroyed APCs in the region.
The Galix system, designed by Lacroix Defence in collaboration with Nexter, is intended to protect military vehicles by releasing decoys and smoke to neutralize incoming threats. Amnesty’s findings show that these systems are being actively used by the RSF in Sudan’s Darfur region, a clear breach of the UN arms embargo, which prohibits the supply of weapons to Sudan.
Amnesty’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, emphasized the severity of the situation, urging the French government to halt the supply of these systems to the UAE and to ensure compliance with international arms control agreements. The organization also called for a complete halt to the flow of arms into Sudan, warning of the dire humanitarian consequences of continuing arms shipments.
The UAE and France maintain a longstanding defence partnership, with French companies supplying significant military equipment to the UAE. The UAE has previously been implicated in violations of UN arms embargoes, including those related to Sudan and Libya.
Amnesty International’s findings also highlight the responsibility of companies like Lacroix Defence and KNDS France to conduct thorough human rights due diligence, particularly in conflict zones like Sudan. The organization is calling for an expanded arms embargo on Sudan, with stronger enforcement and verification mechanisms.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan continues to be exacerbated by foreign arms supplies, undermining efforts for peace and contributing to further civilian suffering.
