Amidst the backdrop of ongoing tensions and humanitarian crises, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have rejected a recent agreement between the country’s military government and UN agencies.
The agreement aimed to facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Darfur region.
The rejection by the RSF, a powerful paramilitary group in Sudan, comes in the wake of Darfur governor Minni Minawi’s announcement of a deal on Thursday.
Governor Minawi revealed plans for aid to be transported to Darfur via a newly established route controlled by the Sudanese army.
However, the RSF, which exercises significant control over Darfur, voiced its discontent over the lack of consultation by UN agencies regarding aid distribution.
Moreover, the paramilitary group leveled accusations against the “extremist former regime,” alleging attempts to smuggle arms into the region—an accusation that awaits a response from the military government.
Sudan’s civil war has been labeled by top UN officials as “one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history,” with the potential to escalate into the world’s largest hunger crisis.
Despite the urgent need for humanitarian intervention, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported last month that only a mere 10% of those in dire need in conflict-stricken areas like Darfur have received vital aid.
The challenges hindering aid distribution are manifold, ranging from rampant looting to pervasive security threats and roadblocks.
As Sudan grapples with these multifaceted crises, the rejection of the aid agreement by the RSF underscores the complexities and obstacles faced in providing crucial assistance to vulnerable populations in Darfur and beyond.