Sudan's civil war broke out in April 2023, resulting in not only one of Africa's most catastrophic wars, but also one of the largest gold heists in world history, allegedly linked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Documents, recounts, expert opinions and anomalies in trade have suggested the existence of an intricate link between warfare, illicit mineral trafficking, and foreign influence on the continent.
As combat erupted between Sudan's Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), allegations surfaced that substantial amounts of gold had vanished from state-run facilities in Khartoum.
According to various accounts, armed factions seized control of Sudan's state-owned gold refinery and gained access to the country's central bank early in the conflict.
Around 1.5 tons of gold, worth around $100 million at the time, were purportedly stolen, along with valuables housed in commercial bank deposit boxes, an exclusive by Financial Times shows.
