Sudan official accuses RSF of seizing 32 WFP aid trucks in North Darfur

October 4, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese regional official accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on Sunday of seizing 32 trucks carrying World Food Programme aid intended for famine-threatened civilians in North Darfur.

Abdel Baqi Mohamed Hamed, humanitarian aid commissioner for the Darfur regional government, said in remarks carried by state news agency SUNA that a 60-truck convoy had crossed from Chad through the Tina border point last week.

The convoy was transporting relief to several North Darfur localities, including Kutum, Kabkabiya, Mellit, and Tina, as well as the Sayah and Sortony areas.

Hamed said 16 trucks delivered supplies to Mellit and Sayah before RSF fighters intercepted the remaining 44 vehicles in Kutum and forced them to divert toward El Fasher.

The paramilitary force released 12 trucks after three days but continued to hold 32 vehicles, demanding large extortion payments for their release, Hamed said.

He described the impoundment as a war crime aimed at weaponizing starvation against displaced civilians.

The RSF could not immediately be reached for comment.

Regional authorities reopened the Tina crossing on Sept. 25 to help bring cross-border relief from Chad into Darfur, where aid organizations report acute food and medical shortages.

United Nations agencies have repeatedly warned that large parts of Darfur face severe famine risks, with more than 60% of the population dependent on outside assistance.