WFP suspends humanitarian operations in North Darfur

January 1, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – The world’s largest humanitarian organization (WFP) suspended its operation in North Darfur state after the looting of its warehouse in El-Fasher.

From the evening of December 28 until the morning of December 30, hundreds of looters took over 5,000 tons of food and dismantled warehouse structures.

“WFP is outraged by these senseless attacks and condemns the continued looting of assistance and the destruction of its assets in the strongest possible terms,” said David Beasley, WFP Executive Director.

“As a result, we have been forced to suspend WFP operations in North Darfur, effective immediately,” Beasley added.

The robbed food covers the needs of nearly two million people during a month.

The looting of the WFP warehouse and former UNAMID camp in the capital of North Darfur rosed tensions among the signatory groups in North Darfur.

The Governor of Darfur Region Minni Minnawi immediately condemned the looting of the UNAMID site by armed men affiliated with armed movements that have gathered their combatants nearby the camp.

Minnawi who has troops in El-Fasher further called for an immediate investigation into the attack.

For his part, the Governor of North Darfur State Nimir Abdel Rahman who is the Deputy Head of the SLM-Transitional Council said they have arrested members of some armed groups without naming them.

After the attack on the WFP warehouse, Hadi Idris a Member of the Sovereign Council called for the disclosure of the group of the fighters involved in the two attacks.

Sources close to the investigation said the attacks aim to discredit the authority of the State Governor.

They further said the attacks have carried out by the same group.

The military-controlled collegial presidency discussed the attacks in an extraordinary meeting on Saturday.

The meeting admitted the need to reveal the perpetrators of offences from all parties according to a statement released by the Sovereign Council.

(ST)