The image showcases Dubai’s impressive skyline, highlighting the luxury and development in the Middle East amid regional tensions.
A new investigation by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime has identified the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, as the primary destination for conflict-linked gold and diamonds exported from the Central African Republic (CAR). Researchers found that nearly all officially declared CAR gold exports since 2023 have been shipped to the UAE. The report draws troubling parallels with Sudan, where Dubai-based networks have been linked to gold flows financing the Rapid Support Forces. The report also highlights the growing influence of Russia, Rwanda, and UAE-linked commercial networks in CAR. Furthermore, it identifies Russia’s Africa Corps, which has supported President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s government since 2018, as a major beneficiary of illicit gold exports. Investigators estimate that illicit gold linked to the network generates about $180 million annually, raising concerns about conflict financing, governance, and resource exploitation in CAR.
Semafor