Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senators, led by Todd Young, have urged President Biden to take stronger measures against foreign entities contributing to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. In a letter sent to the president, the senators highlighted the role of external actors in fueling the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis.

The conflict, which began in April 2023, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and left over 25 million people in urgent need of assistance. The senators pointed out that illicit gold trading is a significant factor in financing the violence. "We are deeply concerned that Sudan’s illicit gold trade enables lucrative revenue streams that perpetuate the documented atrocities and worsens the devastating humanitarian crisis in the country," they stated.

Sudan is one of Africa's largest gold producers, with a valuable industry largely controlled by the RSF and its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The senators noted that "the U.S. Department of the Treasury has identified gold operations as ‘a vital source of revenue for the Dagalo family and the RSF.’ This revenue fuels violence, as documented by the United Nations."

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was named as a key hub for smuggled Sudanese gold entering global markets. Between 2012 and 2022, Emirati companies reportedly received over 2,500 tons of illicit African gold worth around $115 billion. Despite being removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s "gray list" earlier this year, concerns remain about money laundering vulnerabilities within UAE's gold sector.

Reports have linked Sudanese gold smuggled through the UAE to Russia's Wagner Group, suggesting these funds support operations in Africa and Russia’s war in Ukraine while undermining international sanctions. The senators emphasized: “We urge immediate action by your administration to target foreign external actors and foreign business entities fueling the gruesome atrocities in the Sudanese conflict.”

The letter acknowledged ongoing U.S. efforts but called for more decisive actions against both warring parties and their supporters, including UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other foreign business entities involved. It urged using Executive Order 14098 and Global Magnitsky Act authorities to hold accountable those destabilizing Sudan.