Paramilitary forces from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly looted over 10,000 tonnes of gum arabic from the West Kordofan town of al-Nahud, in one of the largest such seizures since the Sudanese conflict erupted in 2023.
The gum arabic — valued at approximately $75 million — was stored in more than 400 trucks awaiting export when RSF fighters took control of the town earlier this month. Traders say the looting continues across West and North Kordofan, where gum arabic production is concentrated.
The RSF’s capture of al-Nahud — a strategic trade town and major gum arabic hub — marked a blow to Sudan’s already fragile economy. Gum arabic is a vital export for Sudan, used globally in food and cosmetic products and widely regarded as an irreplaceable stabilizer in soft drinks and pharmaceuticals.
According to industry sources, nearly one-third of Sudan’s 2025 gum arabic harvest has been looted, with a potential market value exceeding $120 million.
Traders claim that looted gum arabic is now appearing in markets across South Sudan, Chad, and Libya at cut-rate prices, sparking concern over rising smuggling and illicit trade networks.
In response, key international buyers have begun coordinating with Sudanese exporters through Port Sudan to ensure only certified shipments are accepted, according to local traders. However, the conflict continues to complicate trade and logistics.
The RSF, which is battling the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in a civil war that has displaced over 13 million people, has imposed restrictions on gum arabic transport through SAF-held territory, fueling a surge in black market activity.
Industry stakeholders warn that ongoing U.S. sanctions, particularly those targeting Sudan’s military, could unintentionally disrupt legitimate gum arabic exports by limiting access to global financial systems — despite the product previously being exempt from sanctions.
While Washington recently accused the SAF of deploying chemical weapons — a claim denied by Sudanese authorities — the new sanctions have intensified uncertainty for Sudan’s few remaining export sectors.
Gum arabic, historically exempt from sanctions due to its critical role in global supply chains, now risks falling victim to broader restrictions, potentially straining international food and beverage industries reliant on stable access to the commodity.
Sudan supplied about 80% of the world’s gum arabic before the war began. With conflict escalating across Kordofan and Darfur, the future of this vital industry — and the livelihoods it supports — hangs in the balance.