Sudan’s ministry of agriculture claims that the nation is not experiencing famine

Rejecting the idea of aid organizations circumventing cross-border delivery constraints, Sudan’s minister of agriculture declared there is no famine in the nation and questioned UN-backed statistics that shows 755,000 people are suffering from catastrophic hunger.

Following the start of a conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who have gained control of large portions of the country, and the Sudanese army, whose commander doubles as the country’s head of state, Sudan has become the world’s biggest food crisis.

Speaking at a press conference in Port Sudan, the de facto capital of the nation, Abubakr al-Bushra stated, “755,000 citizens are not a significant percentage compared to the total population… they cannot call that famine.”

The population of Sudan is fifty million.

Residents and assistance organizations claim that the army has prevented help and commerce from reaching RSF-controlled areas, and that when supplies do reach those areas, they are usually overpriced and frequently stolen—often by RSF soldiers.

In late June, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a joint effort by relief organizations, regional organizations, and U.N. agencies, declared that although half of the country’s population was suffering from severe hunger, 14 regions were at risk of famine.

When standards for child malnutrition and starving death are reached, and at least 20% of the population in a region experiences catastrophic hunger, famine can be officially declared.

Al-Bushra stated that the indicators of malnutrition were still unknown and questioned the ability of professionals to collect data in RSF-controlled areas.

An impartial committee might declare famine based on the IPC data, which could lead to Security Council orders superseding army limitations on the crossings that could be used to transport aid.
Such directives were refused by the administration, according to Al-Bushra.

Another source characterized the move as part of a plot against the nation. “We reject the opening of our borders by force because that could open the borders with opposing states, borders that the militia controls,” the official stated.

Aid organizations report that rain has rendered al-Tina, the only government-approved entry point into the Darfur region—home to the majority of the region’s famine-risk hotspots—inaccessible. According to the army, the RSF has been supplying weapons to itself through Adre, the gateway into West Darfur that humanitarian organizations are requesting access to.