The smuggled resource in your candy and soda funding Sudan's civil war
Sudan's civil war is being partially funded by the illicit trade of gum arabic, a key ingredient in many global consumer products like soda and candy. As production in Sudan declines due to conflict, the smuggling of this resource has become a critical revenue stream for paramilitary groups.
Why it matters
This highlights the complex link between global supply chains and the financing of violent conflicts in developing nations.
Sudan has historically been the top producer of gum arabic, a pink resin that ends up in lots of products like Coca-Cola, M&M's, makeup, and pills. But Sudan has been in the grips of civil war since 2023, which has displaced an estimated 14 million people.
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