In a harrowing revelation, United Nations experts have accused both sides of Sudan’s ongoing conflict of deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war, putting an estimated 25 million people at risk. The accusations come as the humanitarian crisis in Sudan deepens, with millions facing extreme food shortages due to the destruction of infrastructure, agricultural lands, and supply routes by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, the warring factions have devastated much of Sudan’s urban and rural regions. These actions have included the deliberate targeting of farms, marketplaces, and food storage facilities, effectively cutting off access to vital food supplies for millions of civilians. According to a recent report by UN-appointed experts, these tactics amount to violations of international law, as they are being used to weaken and control civilian populations in contested regions.
The systematic destruction of agricultural lands, markets, and essential supply chains is a clear tactic aimed at causing widespread hunger and forcing communities to either flee or submit to one of the warring factions, the experts said in a statement. This is not a byproduct of the conflict—it is a deliberate strategy aimed at civilians.
The UN experts also pointed to the closure of critical trade routes, blockades of humanitarian aid, and the looting of food convoys as further evidence of intentional starvation strategies. The situation has been exacerbated by the country’s economic collapse, skyrocketing food prices, and disruptions to international aid efforts.
The situation has reached a critical point, with over 25 million people now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the conflict has displaced more than 4 million people, with many fleeing to neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt, straining regional resources.
In parts of the country, particularly in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, food shortages have reached catastrophic levels, with many communities relying on dwindling supplies of wild plants and contaminated water sources for survival. “The risk of famine is very real,” warned the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), noting that continued fighting is making it impossible for farmers to plant crops or tend to their livestock.
Humanitarian organizations face immense difficulties in delivering aid due to the ongoing conflict. Aid convoys are frequently targeted, looted, or blocked by armed groups, and the deteriorating security situation has made it increasingly dangerous for humanitarian workers to operate. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has reported several attacks on its food convoys, further disrupting efforts to provide food to the hardest-hit areas.
The United Nations and various aid agencies have called for an immediate ceasefire to allow for unimpeded humanitarian access and to prevent the looming famine. We need a humanitarian corridor now, said the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan. Without a halt in the fighting, we cannot reach those in desperate need. The lives of millions hang in the balance.
International organizations and governments have condemned the use of starvation as a tactic of war, urging both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to cease hostilities and allow for the delivery of critical aid. The UN Security Council has called for accountability and warned that those responsible for war crimes will face prosecution.
Despite international efforts, the warring parties have shown little willingness to engage in peace talks or ceasefire negotiations, complicating efforts to address the growing crisis. Sudan’s conflict, fueled by political power struggles and ethnic tensions, continues to rage on with no clear end in sight.
The situation in Sudan represents one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. As the conflict drags on, millions are being pushed to the brink of starvation, with children, women, and the elderly bearing the brunt of the suffering.
Human rights organizations and UN experts are urging the global community to increase pressure on Sudan’s warring sides to halt the use of starvation tactics and facilitate humanitarian access. “The world cannot stand by while millions are intentionally starved in the pursuit of political and military gains, one UN official stated. There must be consequences for those who commit such atrocities.
The international community faces an urgent challenge: to help alleviate the suffering of millions trapped in the conflict, while working towards a lasting resolution to the devastating war in Sudan.
