Gold Rush Fueled by Conflict: Prices Drive Surge in Smuggling from Sudan

The gold rush in Sudan's Darfur region has been fueled by conflict, with prices driving a surge in smuggling of the precious metal. The United Nations estimates that 75% of gold mined in Sudan is smuggled out of the country, often through neighboring nations.

"We've seen a significant increase in gold smuggling from Sudan," said Aïcha Bahar, a UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) official. "The conflict in Darfur has led to a breakdown in government control and an increase in illegal mining activities."

According to OCHA, the gold is often smuggled out of Sudan through neighboring countries such as Libya, Chad, and Egypt, where it is then sold on the black market or used to finance other criminal activities.

"The smuggling of gold from Sudan is a significant concern for us," said an African Union Commission official. "It not only undermines the government's efforts to generate revenue but also contributes to the perpetuation of conflict in the region."

The surge in gold smuggling has significant implications for the region, including undermining government revenue and perpetuating conflict.