SPLM-N accuses Sudan government of blocking aid, warns of famine

September 27, 2024 (KAUDA) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) accused the Sudanese government on Friday of obstructing humanitarian aid to more than 3 million people facing famine in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The SPLM-N, led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, has been fighting the Sudanese army in South Kordofan since 2011, weeks before Sudan split into two countries. The conflict stemmed from a dispute over the governorship of South Kordofan.

In August, the SPLM-N declared a famine in areas it controls in the two states, which it says are home to about 3 million people.

“Despite our declaration of famine … and the Sudanese Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SRRA) addressing all humanitarian organizations and relevant United Nations agencies, the obstacles placed by the government in Port Sudan have prevented humanitarian organizations from carrying out their duties,” SPLM-N official Arno Ngutulu Lodi said in a statement.

Lodi said the delay in aid delivery could endanger more than 3 million people, including 768,306 displaced. He said 416 people had died of hunger between Aug. 14 and Sept. 20, and 52,479 children were suffering from acute malnutrition.

He added that the humanitarian situation was worsening in Blue Nile state, where teams were still working to assess the full extent of the crisis.

Lodi urged U.N. agencies and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently.

The SPLM-N has taken advantage of fighting between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group to expand its control in South Kordofan. It has also tried to advance in the Blue Nile state, but the army has repelled its attempts.