Sudan's RSF squeezing relief supplies as famine spreads, aid workers say

As famine continues to ravage parts of Sudan, humanitarian workers report that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), engaged in an ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army, are tightening their grip on relief supplies.

The RSF has imposed new constraints on aid deliveries in regions under its control, exacerbating the already dire situation in territories like Darfur, where hunger is rapidly worsening.

The RSF's actions are seen as part of its effort to solidify its control in the western region while suffering military setbacks in the capital, Khartoum. As the conflict between the RSF and the army drags on, with no decisive victory in sight, the humanitarian crisis deepens. The United Nations has described the war as the world’s largest and most devastating humanitarian disaster.

According to several aid workers who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the RSF has begun to impose higher fees and demand greater oversight over operations, such as the recruitment of local staff and the provision of security. These actions mirror tactics used by army-aligned authorities, further complicating aid delivery. Since late last year, these constraints have become more pronounced, leading to arbitrary delays and rejections of travel permits for aid groups seeking access to RSF-controlled areas.

In December, the Sudan Agency for Relief and Humanitarian Operations (SARHO), an entity operating under RSF control, issued new directives requiring humanitarian organizations to register through a "cooperation agreement" and establish independent operations within RSF territory. Although SARHO agreed to temporarily suspend these measures until April, aid workers report that the restrictions persist.

These moves appear to be part of the RSF’s broader strategy to secure international legitimacy and generate funds amid its ongoing military challenges. Despite the war’s toll, the RSF still controls vast swaths of territory, including most of Darfur, where aid agencies report the highest levels of need.

The restrictions have intensified the already dire food crisis, particularly in the famine-stricken camps around al-Fashir, the army’s last holdout in Darfur, and in nearby Tawila. These camps, home to thousands of displaced people, are experiencing extreme food shortages, with residents resorting to eating leaves due to the lack of aid.

"The situation in Zamzam camp is very difficult, we are hungry and scared," said Haroun Adam, a resident of the camp. "We aren't receiving any form of aid." The RSF’s actions, which include shelling refugee camps, are further hindering relief efforts.

While the RSF denies accusations of interfering with aid operations, aid workers insist that the restrictions have had a significant impact on their ability to reach those in need. The imposition of additional fees for essential services like local staffing and transport is further compounding the problem.

Kholood Khair, a Sudan analyst, noted that the RSF’s approach is reminiscent of previous government tactics, where relief operations were manipulated for political gain. "This is a harbinger for what an RSF government will look like," she said.

The ongoing conflict and aid blockages have left hundreds of thousands of Sudanese at greater risk of starvation, with the international community struggling to address the complex political and humanitarian challenges in the country.

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