UAE fueling Sudan war through gold imports: Swiss NGO
Swiss NGO says Abu Dhabi increased purchases from conflict zones, undermining global efforts against illicit trade and war financing
GENEVA (MNTV) — The United Arab Emirates has significantly increased its gold imports from conflict-ridden Sudan, despite growing global concern over smuggling networks and conflict financing, according to a new report by Swiss watchdog Swissaid.
The report said the UAE imported 29 tons of gold from Sudan in 2024 — up from 17 tons the previous year — along with large volumes from neighboring countries such as Chad and Libya.
Swissaid cited United Nations Comtrade data published on October 31, which was later withdrawn, as evidence of the continued outflow of Sudanese gold amid the ongoing war.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
The United Nations has previously claimed that the UAE is supplying the RSF with weapons and drones, claims that Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied.
Swissaid said the UAE imported 18 tons of gold from Chad and nine tons from Libya last year, describing both as key “exit routes” for RSF-controlled gold. “These flows confirm the UAE’s central role as a global destination for smuggled Sudanese gold,” the organization stated.
Overall, the UAE imported 748 tons of gold from Africa in 2024 — an 18 percent increase from 2023 — making it the world’s top buyer of African gold and second only to Switzerland globally.
The NGO also accused the UAE of purchasing $5.4 billion worth of Russian gold last year, saying the transactions indirectly financed the war in Ukraine.
“Despite pledges of responsible sourcing, the UAE remains a global hub for gold of dubious origin, particularly conflict-linked gold,” Swissaid said.
Abu Dhabi has introduced new import rules aligned with OECD standards to ban conflict-related gold since 2023.
The reforms helped the UAE secure removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s “grey list” and the European Union’s list of “high-risk” money-laundering jurisdictions in 2024.
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