Overview

Sudan’s ‍Transitional⁢ Sovereign Council Chairperson Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan reiterated​ his goverment’s⁢ commitment ​to working with the United Nations and its agencies on humanitarian aid, but stressed ⁣the importance of respecting Sudan’s sovereignty. The statement came during a meeting in ‌Port Sudan with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs‌ Tom Fletcher, amidst escalating conflict and a worsening humanitarian crisis, particularly ‍in‍ El-fasher.

Accusations ⁤of​ Food as a Weapon

Al-Burhan ⁣directly accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), referred ‍to‍ as the “Dagalo militia,” of deliberately using food as a weapon to starve civilians ⁢in ⁤El-Fasher, North​ Darfur.This accusation points to ⁣a intentional strategy ​to inflict suffering on ‍the population, a potential ⁣war crime under ⁤international law. El-Fasher has become⁤ a focal point of the conflict, with‍ reports of widespread⁣ violence and displacement.

Fletcher,in response,warned of the “grave risks” posed by sudan’s humanitarian crisis ‍and cited “horrific violations against ‍civilians”⁢ in El-Fasher. The UN official reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to providing life-saving assistance to millions of displaced people both within Sudan and in neighboring​ countries.

UN Aid delivery and Cooperation

Fletcher⁣ expressed the UN’s readiness to ‌expand cooperation with both local​ and international partners to ensure aid reaches those in need. This includes logistical support, ‌coordination with aid organizations, and advocacy for safe access for‍ humanitarian workers. The UN faces notable ‍challenges in delivering aid due to ongoing fighting, bureaucratic​ obstacles, and‍ security concerns.

Diplomatic Context and the “Quad” Group

deputy Foreign Minister mawia‌ Khalid characterized ‍Fletcher’s‌ visit​ as​ “the highest-level​ UN mission to‌ Sudan in recent months,”⁤ emphasizing the importance of the discussions⁣ surrounding the RSF’s capture of El-Fasher and the resulting mass displacement, along with reports of ⁣killings, beatings, and sexual​ assaults. This underscores the severity​ of the ‍situation and the international community’s ‌growing concern.

Foreign minister‍ Mohieldin Salem ⁢stated that Sudan does not officially recognize the “Quad” ​group – comprising the⁢ United States,Saudi ⁤Arabia,Egypt,and the UAE – arguing that⁢ it was “not⁢ established​ by the UN or any international organization.” This ⁢rejection of the Quad’s authority​ reflects Sudan’s desire to maintain control over its own affairs and perhaps resist⁣ external interference. The Quad⁢ has been ‍attempting to mediate a ceasefire between ⁢the Sudanese army ⁤and the RSF.