The Gold Rush Behind a Civil War

Overview

This episode delves into the ongoing civil war in Sudan, focusing on the atrocities in Darfur and the role of gold in fueling the conflict. Journalist Declan Walsh provides a detailed account of the humanitarian crisis, the economic drivers behind the war, and the international complicity in perpetuating the violence.

Notable Quotes

- What we're about to talk about next might be the most undercover story of human misery on planet Earth. – Declan Walsh

- Gold is the one thing that is easy to mine in the middle of the conflict, and that now, of course, is worth so much money. – Declan Walsh

- The Emirates staunchly denies that it supports either side in the conflict, but our reporting shows evidence of them arming one side while funding the other. – Declan Walsh

🩸 The Humanitarian Crisis in Darfur

- Over 150,000 people have been killed and 12 million displaced, half of them children, in the ongoing Sudanese civil war.

- Recent atrocities in Darfur include mass executions, with videos filmed by militias as trophies. Satellite imagery has revealed evidence of bloodshed, such as traces of blood in the sands around El Fashir.

- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, has taken control of Darfur, committing widespread violence against civilians.

⚔️ The Evolution of Conflict in Sudan

- The RSF, a successor to the Janjaweed militia responsible for the Darfur genocide 20 years ago, is now better armed with advanced weaponry like Chinese drones and armored vehicles.

- Unlike the Janjaweed, which fought alongside Sudan's military, the RSF is now in direct conflict with the army, vying for control of the entire country.

- The war has devastated Sudan's economy, leaving half the population facing acute hunger and famine.

💰 Gold as the Engine of War

- Gold mining has become a central source of funding for both sides of the conflict.

- The RSF controls artisanal gold mines, exploiting desperate laborers working in hazardous conditions.

- The Sudanese military relies on industrial gold mines, often operated in partnership with foreign entities, including Russian businesses.

- The UAE is the primary destination for smuggled Sudanese gold, with billions of dollars flowing into its economy annually.

🌍 International Complicity and Inaction

- The UAE has been implicated in supporting both sides of the conflict, supplying weapons to the RSF while holding stakes in military-controlled gold mines.

- The Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organization, has collaborated with the RSF in gold extraction and security operations.

- Despite U.S. diplomatic efforts, including the formation of a coalition with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, little progress has been made toward peace.

📉 Global Attention and the Role of Media

- The Sudanese civil war has received significantly less global attention compared to other conflicts, such as the war in Gaza.

- Recent graphic images and videos from Darfur have sparked international outrage, but there is concern that attention will fade once the media spotlight moves on.

- The lack of sustained global focus has hindered efforts to address the crisis and hold complicit nations accountable.