Sudan Events – Reports
Amnesty International, in a new investigation, said that military technology manufactured in France and integrated into armored personnel carriers made by the United Arab Emirates is being used on the battlefield in Sudan. This, according to the organization, likely violates the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur.
Earlier this year, Amnesty reported identifying armored personnel carriers made in the UAE in different parts of Sudan. New research shows that these vehicles, used by the Rapid Support Forces, include advanced reactive defense systems designed and manufactured in France.
Amnesty confirmed it had verified multiple images circulating on social media showing the “Galix” system integrated into many “Nimr Ajban” armored personnel carriers, which were either destroyed or seized by the Sudanese Armed Forces. This model of the “Nimr Ajban” is made in the UAE by the EDGE group and is equipped with the French-made Galix defense system, manufactured by Lacroix Defense in collaboration with Nexter (now known as Kongsberg France). The system is a land-based defense system that launches decoys, smoke, and shells to counter close-range threats.
Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard stated that all countries must immediately halt all direct and indirect supplies of weapons and ammunition to the warring parties in Sudan. She added, “Our research shows that weapons designed and manufactured in France are actively being used on the battlefield in Sudan.”
She further stated, “The Rapid Support Forces are using the Galix system in this conflict, and any use of it in Darfur would be a clear violation of the UN arms embargo. The French government must ensure that Lacroix Defense and Kongsberg France stop supplying this system to the UAE immediately.”
