Amnesty International has revealed, following a new investigation, that advanced Chinese-made weapons re-exported by the United Arab Emirates have appeared in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and have also been used in Darfur — a clear violation of the UN-imposed arms embargo.
Through the analysis of images and videos showing the aftermath of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks, Amnesty identified the presence of GB50A guided bombs and 155mm AH-4 howitzers, manufactured by Norinco (China North Industries Group), a state-owned Chinese defense company. This marks the first documented use of GB50A bombs in an armed conflict worldwide. Evidence suggests that these weapons were re-exported to Sudan by the UAE.
Brian Castner, Head of Amnesty’s Crisis Research Team, stated: “This is clear evidence of the use of Chinese-made guided bombs and howitzers in Sudan. The presence of recently manufactured Chinese bombs in northern Darfur is a blatant breach of the arms embargo by the UAE. Documenting the use of AH-4 howitzers in Khartoum further reinforces growing evidence of the UAE’s extensive support to the RSF in violation of international law. It is shameful that the UN Security Council fails to enforce the Darfur arms embargo or respond to calls to extend it to the whole of Sudan. Civilians are being killed and injured due to international inaction, while the UAE continues to violate the embargo. The UAE must immediately cease arms transfers to the RSF, and until it does, all weapons transfers to the UAE should be halted.”
Amnesty also noted: “As a State Party to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), China must take urgent measures to prevent the diversion of weapons to Sudan. Continuing to supply the UAE — a country with a known record of transferring arms to conflict zones where war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law occur — means that China risks indirectly fueling the Sudanese conflict.”
It added, “Despite being a signatory to the ATT, the UAE has repeatedly failed to comply with its principles and objectives. All countries must suspend arms transfers to the UAE until guarantees are provided that no weapons will be re-exported to Sudan or any other embargoed destination. Past violations of the UN arms embargo must be investigated, and responsible parties held accountable.”
