Chinese Company Acquires Stake in Ethiopian Gold Mine Near Sudan War Zone

The Middle East Eye published on 19 August 2026 an article titled "UAE-backed Chinese Company Acquires Stake in Ethiopian Gold Mine Near Sudan War Zone" by Zecharias Zelalem and Oscar Rickett.

Last week, Canadian mining company Allied Gold sold a 9.2 percent stake to China's Zijin Gold International.  This gives Zijin partial ownership of mines in Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, and near Kurmuk in Ethiopia. The Kurmuk mine is in Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region, which hosts at least one base used by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).  The UAE supports the RSF and is the main buyer of gold coming from both Sudan and Ethiopia.  

The UAE's sovereign wealth fund has a major share in the parent company of Zijin Gold International and in Canada's Allied Gold.  The Ethiopian gold mine puts Chinese, Canadian, and UAE interests close to the civil war between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces in Sudan's Blue Nile State and raises further questions about the UAE's role in the conflict.   

Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Has Military Success Along Ethiopian Border

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 20 August 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Liam Karr.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured two district capitals in Blue Nile State on the Ethiopian border.  The SPLM-N supported the RSF in one of the operations.  The RSF likely launched its operations from Ethiopian territory.  The RSF's advance in Blue Nile State distracts the Sudan Armed Forces from consolidating recent gains in central Sudan.

Sudan Armed Forces Makes Some Gains Against Rapid Support Forces

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 9 July 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Angus Muldoon.  

The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) has recaptured from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces several towns in Sudan's Blue Nile State that borders Ethiopia.  This relieves some of the pressure on SAF forces elsewhere in the country.  The SAF has also had some military gains near Sudan's border with Chad.