On Wednesday, Sudan accused Western nations of politicizing efforts to provide humanitarian aid and unfairly blaming its military and government for blocking such assistance.
This accusation followed an October 18 declaration by the UK, USAID, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, and the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, which demanded an end to obstacles impeding aid in Sudan.
The Sudanese foreign ministry criticized the joint declaration as biased, arguing that there is no proof the government has intentionally disrupted humanitarian activities. The ministry also refuted claims that it intentionally delayed entry visas and movement permits for aid workers. Additionally, it expressed worry over calls for aid organizations to operate without government oversight, fearing that this might undermine state authority.
“These baseless allegations downplay the deliberate use of starvation by the Rapid Support Militia (Janjaweed) as a weapon in its war on the Sudanese people. This is evident in the militia’s siege of El Fasher, where they continue to target civilians and block essential humanitarian aid,” the statement said, as cited by local media.
To address humanitarian needs, Sudan announced on October 19 the opening of four more airports for aid delivery, now providing six airports and seven land crossings for humanitarian access. According to the UN, about half of Sudan's population, around 25 million people, require humanitarian aid and protection, with nearly 18 million facing severe food insecurity.
Humanitarian Aid Commission Condemns RSF Attack on Aid Supplies in Sudan
At times when the population of Sudan is on the brink of starvation, the Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission denounced an attack by the RSF on humanitarian supplies to Sudan, describing it as a violation of international norms and laws concerning humanitarian aid, local media reported on Thursday.
The attack targeted a rented truck owned by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which was carrying medicines and medical equipment in the Al-Shaqiq area of White Nile State. The commission labeled the detention of the truck and its driver a "barbaric act" aimed at depriving civilians of essential aid.
This incident, the commission reportedly stated, highlights a pattern of RSF attacks on humanitarian organizations, which it called "irresponsible and barbaric." Such actions breach international humanitarian law, human rights standards, and the Jeddah Declaration, a peace agreement signed in May 2023 between the Sudanese government and the RSF.
The Humanitarian Aid Commission urged international organizations and the global community to take action against such obstructions, emphasizing the critical need to protect humanitarian efforts and ensure aid reaches conflict-affected civilians in Sudan.