The United Nations human rights office has identified gum arabic as a significant source of financing for the ongoing conflict in Sudan, alongside looted gold.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued an alert on Wednesday highlighting how the commodity, widely used in soft drinks, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, continues to fuel the war.
This development underscores the complexity of sanctioning efforts, as warring factions exploit diverse export channels to sustain their operations.
The EU has previously imposed a comprehensive ban on gold imports from Sudan to sever funding streams for the civil war that began in April 2023.
However, the reliance on gum arabic suggests that alternative revenue sources remain active and difficult to track.
Gum arabic is a critical ingredient for major global brands, including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, making its supply chain a focal point for both commercial and geopolitical scrutiny.