Sudan produces about 80% of the world’s gum arabic, a crucial ingredient in major food and beauty products. Since April 2023, Sudan’s civil war has intensified, with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seizing key gum arabic harvesting regions (Kordofan and Darfur).

Gum arabic is being trafficked from RSF-controlled areas, often without proper certification, making its way to neighbouring countries such as Egypt, Chad, Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, and South Sudan. The lack of transparency in sourcing raises concerns that gum Arabic linked to the conflict could infiltrate the global supply chains of major consumer goods companies such as l'Oréal, Mars, Alland & Robert, Nestlé, and Coca-Cola. Contacted by the Resource Centre, Alland & Robert and Nestlé commented on the allegations of conflict-affiliated gum appearance in their supply chain. L'Oréal, Mars and Coca-Cola did not respond.