Government of Sudan Decries Attempts to Politicize Food Gaps or Use Them as a Cover to Aid the Militia

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon

The Government of Sudan has affirmed that the food security situation in the country remains stable. It stated that existing strategic reserves, combined with ongoing agricultural operations, will meet the nation’s food requirements and ensure a high degree of stability for local communities across various regions of Sudan—thereby refuting claims of an imminent famine.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the government welcomed the valuable humanitarian support provided by donors and international organizations. It emphasized that it has continued to supply food and medicine even under the direst conditions of war and aggression. Sudan has not experienced a famine, despite the systematic destruction of its resources, the looting of its strategic reserves, the devastation of its infrastructure, and the displacement of its citizens from agricultural production zones. The government, through its relevant agencies, is currently assessing the impact of rainfall shortages—exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, climate change, and the expansion of desertification—as well as the consequences of the killing and forced displacement of citizens from farming areas. Based on these assessments, the government has begun taking the necessary measures to address food gaps in those regions without delay. The government expressed its regret over attempts by some states and organizations to politically exploit the humanitarian situation in some regions in the Sudan. It noted that these actors seek to leverage such humanitarian conditions to advance their own political agendas—specifically by imposing terms for a settlement under the guise of a “humanitarian truce.” In reality, this would serve to rescue the rebel militia from its ongoing string of defeats, granting it a fresh opportunity to rearm and redeploy. Such a move would only embolden the militia to commit further atrocities, massacres, and acts of genocide—as has previously occurred in El Fasher and El Geneina.

The statement further noted that the political agenda pursued by certain Western nations—which utilizes the humanitarian situation as a tool for a settlement—aims to shield the rebel militia from further defeats and setbacks, while pushing for negotiations. This is occurring at a time when the militia continues to occupy territory and civilian infrastructure, threatening the country’s security and unity. Such an approach stands in clear violation of the Jeddah Declaration, which the Government of Sudan had accepted as the foundational framework for negotiations and ending the war. The statement added that while the Sudanese government reaffirms its existing commitments to cooperate with humanitarian agencies, organizations, and relevant bodies, it rejects the politicization of the humanitarian situation—a tactic used to serve specific agendas for which certain countries have been rallying support. The government emphasized that it will continue to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect civilians and provide relief to those in need, in accordance with the interests of its people, the protection of its territory and national security, and the preservation of its unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The government further highlighted its track record in facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to all Sudanese people—including those in areas under the control of the militia—through agreed-upon corridors, airports, and border crossings from neighboring countries and within Sudan itself. It also noted its efforts to expedite the issuance of visas and movement permits for humanitarian aid workers, adding that its relevant authorities work around the clock to resolve any issues that may arise regarding the shared commitment to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Furthermore, the government reiterated its rejection of the exploitation of humanitarian aid for political objectives that run counter to the interests of the Sudanese people, as well as its opposition to the use of such aid as a cover to fund or strengthen the militia, or the use of food as a weapon in the war against innocent civilians.

Earlier, 32 Western nations, along with the European Union, issued a joint statement warning of an “imminent famine in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict.” They called on the parties to the conflict to allow rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all affected areas, particularly the Darfur region in western Sudan. The joint statement, titled “Joint Statement on Famine in Sudan,” notes that Sudan is experiencing an alarming deterioration in its food security. It warns that the risk of famine in the coming months—as highlighted by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)—demands urgent action. There is no time to lose; the priority is to save lives and prevent a famine from occurring.

The statement was signed by the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, as well as the governments of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=19502