SLM-TC leader criticizes Sudan’s humanitarian access plan, calls for inclusive approach
March 6, 2024 (EL FASHER) – Al-Hadi Idris, head of the Sudan Liberation Movement – Transitional Council, criticized the Sudanese government’s decision regarding the entry of humanitarian aid. He urged the United Nations to engage with all parties involved in the conflict, including armed movements and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to ensure aid reaches all affected areas.
On Wednesday, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry informed the UN about allowing humanitarian aid through designated sea, land, and air routes, including the Al-Tina crossing connecting Chad to North Darfur, a government-controlled area.
In a statement to Sudan Tribune, Idris expressed concern over the UN’s limited consultation with the “Port Sudan government,” as he calls it. He emphasized the importance of including all stakeholders, particularly armed movements and the RSF, arguing that securing aid delivery routes requires cooperation.
“The presence of other parties is crucial,” Idris stated. “The UN should consult the armed movements and the RSF to agree on crossing points and routes from Chad. Securing these routes requires all parties’ participation to guarantee aid access to war-affected areas.”
He further feared that aid might accumulate in government-controlled areas, failing to reach others.
“If the government and the UN fail to address this reality, other parties might independently engage with humanitarian organizations,” Idris warned. “Such a scenario could create a situation akin to the Libyan model, with multiple governing bodies, which we must strive to avoid. Currently, the government controls a portion of the country, while other areas remain under the control of different groups.”
Previously, humanitarian convoys from Chad entered Darfur under UN supervision. However, the government’s recent ban, citing concerns about the RSF’s potential interference and weapon smuggling, drew criticism from the UN, US, and EU, prompting the revised approach.
Regarding aid distribution, Idris proposed overseeing the process by a high-level civilian committee selected under UN supervision and independent of armed groups. The committee, he suggested, should comprise representatives from various regions and cities. He reiterated that the army, armed movements, and RSF be solely responsible for securing aid convoys to prevent attacks and theft.
Due to the lingering conflict, 25 million Sudanese people require humanitarian assistance, nearly 18 million of whom face critical food insecurity. The prolonged fighting has devastated livelihoods and crippled the nation’s industrial sector.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) issued a statement indicating their rejection of the government’s designated aid delivery routes through Port Sudan. However, the RSF expressed their willingness to reach an agreement that ensures transparent border-crossing aid delivery based on well-defined principles.
The paramilitary force accused the army of weaponizing humanitarian aid by deliberately obstructing its access to the states of Darfur, Kordofan, Al-Jazirah, and Khartoum.
(ST)