On Tuesday, the General Coordination of Displaced Persons and Refugees announced that millions of people in the Darfur region of Sudan are at risk of starvation following the Sudanese government's decision to prohibit the delivery of aid through Chad. The executive order, of which Reuters obtained a digital copy, closes a crucial supply route to the vast Darfur region controlled by the Rapid Support Forces, the opposing side in the ongoing civil war that has lasted for ten months.
The organization stated in a Facebook post, "The lack of urgent humanitarian assistance puts millions of displaced persons in Darfur at risk of starving to death, which is considered a war crime and a gross violation of human rights. Food should not be used as a weapon against innocent civilians." The group and the United States accused the Rapid Support Forces of looting humanitarian aid and obstructing its delivery. The Rapid Support Forces denied the allegations, stating that any lawbreakers would be brought to justice.
Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) reported on Tuesday that unidentified armed individuals stormed its base in Zalengei, the capital of Central Darfur, which is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces.
In the executive order reviewed by Reuters, the Sudanese army's foreign ministry noted a shift in policy "due to negative developments from the Chadian side that have proven to facilitate military support for the rebellious Rapid Support Forces militia."
UN experts stated that Chad has been used as a route for supplying vital arms from the UAE to the Rapid Support Forces. Given the numerous risks and roadblocks along the routes from Port Sudan in the east, aid agencies assert that the path through Chad is vital, especially since some displaced persons' camps in Darfur have not received assistance since the start of the war. The Sudanese foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that it is committed to facilitating humanitarian aid delivery. The army has not yet responded to a request for comment.
