Sudan Faces Engineered Famine Amid Prolonged Conflict

Sudan is approaching a critical threshold of food insecurity, with humanitarian organizations warning that the crisis is being deliberately exacerbated by warring factions. According to a statement released by Justice Africa Sudan, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has displaced over ten million people, while twenty-five million face acute shortages. The organization asserts that this is not merely a result of economic collapse, but a calculated strategy to starve civilian populations.

The situation has deteriorated sharply in recent months, with nearly five million individuals experiencing emergency levels of hunger. Community support systems, including kitchens that once served as lifelines for vulnerable families, have ceased operations due to a lack of resources. Additionally, remittances from the diaspora, which have traditionally helped sustain household economies, are weakening under the pressure of prolonged hardship and global inflation.

Aggravated by Agricultural Failure

The humanitarian crisis is compounded by environmental factors, particularly poor rainfall in rain-fed farming regions. States such as El Gedaref and South Kordofan are seeing their harvests threatened just as access to essential goods becomes increasingly difficult. This combination of climatic stress and logistical obstruction has created a perfect storm for food insecurity, leaving millions without reliable access to nutrition.

Allegations of Deliberate Starvation Tactics

Justice Africa Sudan accuses both belligerent parties of employing starvation as a weapon of war. The organization points to specific tactics, including sieges, road blockades, and the obstruction of food supplies to areas controlled by opponents. Furthermore, it alleges the destruction of warehouses, water sources, and farms, alongside restrictions on humanitarian access. These actions, according to the group, constitute war crimes and have significantly aggravated an economic crisis where prices for essential commodities have more than doubled in a single month.

The organization notes that famine has already been declared in parts of the Nuba Mountains under the control of the SPLA/M-North. It further accuses the government in Port Sudan of denying the scale of the crisis. While welcoming recent US and EU sanctions against those prolonging the war, Justice Africa Sudan argues that these measures are insufficient to address the root causes of the suffering.

Call for Immediate Accountability

In its assessment, the organization draws a stark distinction between the current crisis and the famine of 1984–85. It argues that the present situation is more severe because starvation is being deliberately inflicted upon civilians rather than resulting from natural causes. The group calls for an immediate end to hostilities, unrestricted humanitarian access, and stronger accountability mechanisms. It urges the international community to increase pressure for a cessation of fighting to prevent a total collapse of the food system.