The ongoing conflict in Sudan has dire implications for the global supply of gum arabic, an ingredient crucial to a multitude of consumer products, particularly beverages and confections. As the war continues to ravage the country, the connection between everyday items and the financing of conflict becomes alarmingly clear.
Khisham Salikh Yagoub, one of Sudan's largest exporters of gum arabic, has been facing an alarming new reality. For the past two years, he has received disturbing calls from unknown individuals demanding ransom payments for the safe transport of his goods. This extortion is not an isolated incident; it involves the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia group labelled by the United States as engaging in genocide.
According to Bloomberg, the RSF controls significant parts of the supply chain related to gum arabic production and distribution, and has been actively involved in seizing shipments. Yagoub's situation mirrors the broader challenges facing the gum arabic industry, which provides approximately 70% of the world’s supply, predominantly from regions like Darfur and Kordofan—areas heavily patrolled by RSF operatives.
Gum arabic is more than just a natural product; it serves as an essential organic emulsifier in numerous popular goods, from Coca-Cola to Danone yogurts and M&Ms. Without it, the chemical balance of these products would be disrupted. In fact, Elawad Maisara, a commercial advisor at Albakry Factory for Packing & Preparing Gum Arabic, emphasized the gravity of the situation by asserting, "If the gum arabic disappears, the Coca-Cola formula will no longer work. It wouldn't be Coca-Cola anymore." The stakes are incredibly high, not just for the producers but for the brands themselves, who risk significant public backlash if their sourcing practices come under scrutiny.
The RSF's control over the gum arabic supply chain presents an ethical dilemma for multinational corporations. With armed groups demanding payments—for instance, about $2,500 per truck to ensure the safe transportation of gum arabic—it raises questions of complicity in funding violence. Reports indicate that since the onset of the conflict, approximately 30,000 tons of gum arabic have already been stolen or diverted, feeding a critical loophole in ethical sourcing that companies like Coca-Cola, Mars, and Nestlé must navigate. While these corporations have made promises about adhering to ethical standards, the proliferation of armed conflict makes tracking the origins of each shipment increasingly complex.
To compound the issue, both the RSF and even the Sudanese army—despite being on opposing sides of the conflict—have developed schemes to profit from the ongoing turmoil, including charging export fees of about $1,550 per ton. This creates a chilling effect, as companies consider their supply chains in light of potential financing of armed conflict.
While many companies claim to strive for responsible sourcing, the unfortunate reality is that it remains nearly impossible to track the origins of gum arabic being imported into Europe, the USA, or Asia. As consumer demand for transparency grows, companies may be forced to confront uncomfortable truths about their supply chains.
As consumers, we often remain blissfully unaware of the origins of the products we purchase daily. Yet, the reality of conflict-linked commodities serves as an urgent wake-up call. Corporations that rely on Sudanese gum arabic must reassess their sourcing practices and recognize the potential human cost behind their products. In an age where ethical consumption is becoming more prevalent, it must be demanded that corporations actively engage in tracking and disclosing their supply sources. Until structures for accountability and transparency are established, the risk of indirect complicity in human rights violations will persist.
In conclusion, the intertwining of consumer goods and conflict in Sudan underscores a critical systemic failure in global supply chains. With the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the rise of armed groups, the world must push for greater transparency in international commodity sourcing. The stakes are high, and addressing these challenges will not only create a more ethical consumption landscape but could ultimately contribute toward a more peaceful future in regions plagued by armed conflict.
