Sudan Questions the Accuracy of “Famine” Reports

New York – Sudanhorizon

At a high-level discussion at the United Nations, titled “Food Under Fire and its Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises,” Sudanese diplomat Asrar Ahmed Al-Siddiq emphasized that what Sudan is experiencing is “systematic starvation” perpetrated by the terrorist Rapid Support Forces militia as a weapon of war. She pointed to the militia’s blockade and obstruction of food and medicine deliveries, as well as its looting of farms, attacks on farmers, and disruption of the agricultural season.

The Sudanese diplomat, delivering the Permanent Mission’s statement in New York, warned that using starvation for military or political purposes could constitute a war crime. She emphasized that Sudan possesses enormous agricultural potential, noting that its maize production last year exceeded domestic needs, and the World Food Programme purchased a significant portion of this surplus. This demonstrates that the deteriorating food security levels in Darfur and parts of Kordofan are fundamentally a matter of access to these areas, which are under militia control, rather than a problem of agricultural production.

The Sudanese representative questioned the accuracy of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reports, citing a lack of sufficient direct field data due to access restrictions in militia-controlled areas.

She stressed that Sudan is not attempting to downplay the scale of the humanitarian crisis. She pointed out that the government has opened humanitarian corridors, most notably the Adré border crossing, despite security concerns, expanded malnutrition programs, supported relief efforts, strengthened cooperation with UN agencies and international organizations, and bolstered production inputs and community-based initiatives.

The statement pointed out that civilians in Sudan are not dying because of poverty or drought, but because of a terrorist militia supported by regional powers that deliberately deprive them of food, and because of an international community that has not clearly addressed the root causes of the issue. The statement has warned that the international community’s silence will not absolve it of responsibility, and stressed that Sudan will continue to demand accountability for the militia and its supporters so that the people of Sudan can live in safety and dignity in their country.

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