UN investigation: Sudanese rebels were supplied with weapons by US military contractor's planes

A United Nations investigation has revealed that three Boeing 727 aircraft were used to transport weapons, drones, and mercenaries for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region. The findings, detailed in a draft UN report set for release in September, indicate that these planes operated under cover to avoid detection, according to Reuters. The report, compiled by a UN panel authorized by the Security Council to monitor sanctions imposed on Darfur since 2004, highlights how the RSF received logistical support through covert operations involving American military contractors. The investigation found that the Boeing 727s, which had been previously identified in a Reuters report published on July 15, were operated by companies linked to Steven Shaulis, a former member of the U.S. Special Forces and long-time contractor for the American government. These aircraft flew from Chad to logistics hubs used by the RSF in Sudan, Libya, and Somalia. One of the planes was confirmed to have transported RSF fighters during its destruction in May 2025, though the cargo of the other two had remained unknown until now. According to the UN report, the three Boeing 727s, two purchased by a South African company called Contractor Airways from Kalitta Charters II in Michigan and one sold to a Brazilian firm connected to Shaulis, were present in Chad starting in November 2024. They operated from the military section of the airport in N'Djamena. The UN panel noted that there were no records of their movements after they arrived in N'Djamena, suggesting deliberate efforts to conceal their activities. Reuters traced the movement of the Boeing aircraft using satellite imagery, mobile data, and open-source videos. However, no independent flight tracking services recorded the flights, indicating possible attempts to avoid detection. The UN report states that the RSF used the air corridor from N'Djamena to Nyala to transport fighters, foreign mercenaries, and military equipment, including drones and weapons, into Darfur. The report further indicates that Shaulis and his business partner Craig Munro co-owned Contractor Airways, which acquired two of the Boeing 727s from Kalitta. Munro previously told Reuters that Contractor Airways had no connection with the RSF. He dismissed Reuters' findings about the planes landing in Sudan and Libya as inaccurate. Chad's Civil Aviation Authority stated that none of the Boeing aircraft had permits to operate from the country. They emphasized that they do not manage military aviation or track flight movements. Meanwhile, Chad's Foreign Minister, Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, described questions about the planes as matters of defense secrecy and characterized Chad's role in the Sudanese conflict as a diplomatic effort to establish peace. In addition to the findings regarding the Boeing aircraft, the UN investigation detailed the extent of support the RSF received from Colombian mercenaries. According to the report, these mercenaries were employed by a company based in the United Arab Emirates, known as Global Security Services Group (GSSG). The number of mercenaries is estimated to range between 1,500 and 2,000. They reportedly assisted the RSF in planning the siege and subsequent capture of the town of Al-Fashir. The UN report notes that authorities in the United Arab Emirates investigated GSSG but found no evidence of involvement. GSSG stated that it operates in accordance with national laws and international law. The findings underscore the complex web of international actors involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, highlighting the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in addressing the crisis. The conflict in Sudan erupted in 2023 due to disputes between the military leadership and the RSF over plans to integrate forces during an unsuccessful transition to civilian rule. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have died since then, and fighting has exacerbated hunger and disease spread, creating what the UN describes as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The situation continues to evolve, with new developments likely to emerge as the UN report is finalized and presented to the Security Council for review.