The Hidden Connection Between Sudan's Civil War and Global Products
The secret ingredient tying your candy, makeup and medicines to Sudan’s war
Los Angeles Times
Image: Los Angeles Times
Gum arabic, a key ingredient in many products, is sourced from Sudan, a country ravaged by civil war. The conflict, which has displaced millions and caused widespread hunger, has disrupted the gum trade, impacting global supply chains and the livelihoods of local farmers.
- 01Sudan was responsible for up to 80% of the world's gum arabic supply, crucial for products like candy and medicine.
- 02The ongoing civil war has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced 14 million people since it began in April 2023.
- 03The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have seized control of the gum trade, leading to significant economic disruptions and looting.
- 04In 2022, the gum trade earned Sudan $183 million, supporting approximately 5 million people.
- 05Chad has overtaken Sudan as the leading supplier of gum arabic to the U.S., largely due to looted resources being re-exported.
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The civil war in Sudan has dire consequences for the global supply of gum arabic, a resin used in various products including candies, medicines, and cosmetics. Once responsible for up to 80% of the world's supply, Sudan's gum arabic trade is now dominated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that has disrupted agricultural activities and looted resources. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and displaced around 14 million people, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Farmers like Adam Ahmad have seen their livelihoods destroyed, with the RSF imposing heavy taxes and seizing control of supply routes. The gum trade, which generated $183 million in 2022, now faces severe challenges as the RSF integrates it into their smuggling operations. As a result, Chad has become the main supplier of gum arabic to the U.S., as looted Sudanese gum is sold at discounted prices. The ongoing violence and economic turmoil have left millions of Sudanese without the means to sustain themselves, with no end to the conflict in sight.
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The civil war has devastated local economies, particularly affecting farmers and traders involved in the gum arabic trade.
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