Source: Amnesty International –
- Norinco Group guided bombs and howitzers used in attacks
- Weapons almost certainly provided by UAE to RSF in Sudan
- “Civilians are being killed and injured because of global inaction” – Brian Castner
Sophisticated Chinese weaponry, re-exported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been captured in Khartoum, as well as used in Darfur in a blatant breach of the existing UN arms embargo, Amnesty International said following a new investigation.
By analysing pictures and videos showing the aftermath of attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Amnesty International identified Chinese GB50A guided bombs and 155mm AH-4 howitzers. This is the first time GB50A bombs have been documented in active use in any conflict worldwide. The weapons are manufactured by the Norinco Group, also known as China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, a Chinese state-owned defence corporation. The weapons were almost certainly re-exported to Sudan by the UAE.
“This is clear evidence that sophisticated Chinese-made guided bombs and howitzers have been used in Sudan,” said Brian Castner, Head of Crisis Research at Amnesty International.
“The presence of recently manufactured Chinese bombs in North Darfur is a clear violation of the arms embargo by the UAE. Our documentation of AH-4 howitzers in Khartoum further strengthens a growing body of evidence showing extensive UAE support to the RSF, in violation of international law.
“It is shameful that the UN Security Council is failing to implement the existing arms embargo on Darfur, and not heeding calls to extend it to all of Sudan. Civilians are being killed and injured because of global inaction, while the UAE continues to flout the embargo. The UAE must halt its arms transfers to the RSF immediately. Until they do, all international arms transfer to the UAE must also stop.”
This is clear evidence that sophisticated Chinese-made guided bombs and howitzers have been used in Sudan.
Brian Castner, Head of Crisis Research at Amnesty International
China, as state party to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), must take urgent measures to prevent the diversion of arms to Sudan. By continuing to supply such weapons to the UAE – a state which has a long track record of supplying arms to conflict where war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law are regularly occurring – China risks indirectly supplying weapons to the conflict.
The UAE, as a signatory to the ATT, has consistently undermined its object and purpose. All states should stop transferring arms to the UAE until such time that the UAE can guarantee that none will be reexported to Sudan or to other embargoed destinations, and that all it’s past breaches of the UNSC arms embargoes are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators brought to account.
Last year, Amnesty International’s briefing New Weapons Fuelling the Sudan Conflict documented how recently manufactured weapons from countries including China, Russia, Türkiye and the UAE had been transferred into and around Sudan, often in flagrant breach of the existing Darfur arms embargo. Amnesty International also revealed how French-manufactured weapons systems were being used on the battlefield in Sudan.
Amnesty International sent letters to Norinco Group regarding the findings on 18 April 2025. At the time of publication, no response had been received.