The United Nations has warned that profits from Sudan’s gum arabic trade may be helping to finance the country’s ongoing civil war, calling on governments and businesses to ensure they are not contributing to the conflict.
Sudan, which produces about 80% of the world’s gum arabic, supplies the natural ingredient used in soft drinks, medicines, cosmetics and other everyday products.
According to a new UN report, large quantities of gum arabic have been taken from areas controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and smuggled through neighbouring countries, where they are exported as if they were locally produced, making the supply chain difficult to trace.
The report also says some gum arabic from areas controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces has been exported through Port Sudan.
The UN warned that workers and traders in the industry have faced violence, threats and widespread looting, with both sides in the conflict accused of exploiting the trade.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged companies sourcing gum arabic to carry out strict checks on their supply chains, saying businesses must not continue operating as usual when buying from conflict-affected areas.
The report also cited the reported looting of the Gum Arabic Exchange and warehouses in El-Nuhud by RSF fighters in May 2025, an incident that severely disrupted local businesses and livelihoods.
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