SPLM-N declares famine in Sudan’s South Kordofan, Blue Nile

August 13, 2024 (KAUDA) – The civilian authority aligned with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) on Tuesday declared a famine in the areas it controls in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, affecting an estimated three million people.

This announcement comes shortly after the United Nations Development Program reported famine conditions in a camp in North Darfur, a claim denied by the Sudanese government.

Arno Ngutulu Lodi, First Secretary of the SPLM-N’s civilian authority, attributed the famine to the ongoing conflict, which has disrupted agriculture and aid delivery. He cited factors such as the failure of the previous agricultural season, lack of access to seeds and fuel, road closures, locust infestations, a measles outbreak, and aerial bombardments.

Lodi also accused the Sudanese government of selling aid intended for the affected regions, using road closures by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a pretext.

“More than 20% of families in the two regions are facing severe food shortages, and over 30% of children are suffering from malnutrition,” Lodi said, noting that these figures meet the United Nations’ criteria for declaring a famine.

The SPLM-N called for urgent humanitarian assistance to address the crisis and save lives in the affected areas.

The SPLM-N has been engaged in a long-running conflict with the Sudanese government. It has taken advantage of the current fighting between the army and the RSF to expand its control in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.