Sudan’s Agriculture Minister Asserts That No Famine Exists in the Country

Sudan’s agriculture minister, Abubakr al-Bushra, has rejected the notion of aid agencies bypassing cross-border delivery restrictions, claiming that 755,000 people are not facing catastrophic hunger.

However, the country is grappling with the worst hunger crisis globally since the conflict erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The army has impeded aid and trade from reaching RSF-controlled regions, where supplies are costly and often pilfered. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reports that while half the population suffers from acute hunger, 14 areas are at risk of famine.

Al-Bushra is skeptical about experts’ ability to gather data in RSF-held territories and noted that malnutrition indicators remain undetermined. An independent committee could potentially declare a famine, which might lead to Security Council actions that would force the army to allow aid deliveries.

The government opposes such actions, arguing that forcibly opening borders could lead to conflicts with rival states controlled by the militia.