Nuba Mountains, Sudan – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) has declared a famine in areas under its control in the Nuba Mountains and parts of Blue Nile state, citing a severe hunger crisis affecting the local population.
On Wednesday, the SPLM-N announced that 20% of families in these regions are experiencing severe food shortages, with 30% of children suffering from malnutrition. The rebel group described the dire situation as a famine in its Arabic statement.
The SPLM-N attributed the crisis to ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as poor harvests. The rebel group stated that the food stocks produced by the local communities are rapidly being depleted due to the high demand and limited supply.
“The situation in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile state is the most severe compared to other states,” the SPLM-N said. “The little food that is available is being shared among the population and is quickly exhausted.”
The conflict, which has displaced millions, has led to a significant increase in the population of the SPLM-N-controlled areas, now home to approximately 3.9 million people. The broader conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, plunging half of Sudan’s estimated 50 million residents into food insecurity.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, as of June, around 756,000 people across Sudan face catastrophic hunger. Both the army and the RSF are accused of obstructing aid efforts and damaging infrastructure crucial for food production and distribution.
The SPLM-N has also accused the army-aligned government in Port Sudan of selling aid intended for the affected areas and alleged that the RSF has been closing markets. Additionally, it reported that civilian villages have been targeted with a scorched earth policy, involving the burning of crops and homes, which has led to further displacement and blocked access to essential supplies.
The Sudanese army and RSF have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations.
This article is based on a report by Reuters news agency and has not been edited by Global South World.
