The Sudanese government has responded to two pressing international matters: the involvement of foreign mercenaries in its internal conflict and allegations surrounding its humanitarian policies.
In a press release released on Sunday, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged Colombia’s apology for the participation of Colombian nationals in the war alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The RSF has been designated by Sudan as a terrorist organization responsible for "grave crimes and violations against civilians." The ministry reiterated Sudan’s willingness to collaborate with Colombia to ensure the mercenaries’ return home and to preserve bilateral relations.
In another statement, Sudan rejected claims made by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) NGO accusing the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of using starvation as a weapon and obstructing humanitarian aid. The ministry countered that these actions are attributable to militia groups, asserting that "the terrorist militia frequently documents these crimes itself, leaving no room for doubt about its responsibility."
Furthermore, it emphasized the government’s efforts to facilitate aid delivery, including opening border crossings and operational airports, even for areas outside its control.
“The Secretary-General of the organization [NRC] unjustifiably implicated SAF in using starvation as a weapon and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, actions that are exclusively attributable to the Janjaweed [the RSF] militias. At the same time, he failed to identify the perpetrators of crimes such as village destruction, scorched-earth policies, mass rapes, and other atrocities against civilians,” the statement read.
The government highlighted its extensive cooperation with the NRC during its secretary-general’s recent visit but noted that the organization’s actions appeared aimed at tarnishing Sudan’s international reputation.
Last Friday, Tom Fletcher, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, OCHA, described Sudan’s escalating humanitarian crisis as an unprecedented "polycrisis." The country, gripped by nearly 20 months of conflict, now faces the world’s fastest-growing displacement emergency, with 20,000 people uprooted daily. Hunger has reached catastrophic levels, with 26 million people suffering food insecurity and 750,000 on the brink of famine.
Fletcher also highlighted the "rampant" sexual violence against women and girls, along with alarming childhood malnutrition rates. The outbreak of diseases like cholera, dengue, and malaria further compounds the dire situation, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated international intervention to alleviate Sudan’s worsening plight.