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Human rights experts from the United Nations have accused Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of using starvation as a weapon of war. This accusation comes amid escalating concerns of an impending famine in Sudan, a country ravaged by conflict since April last year.

The chaos erupted when tensions between Sudan’s military and the RSF boiled over into violent clashes in the capital, Khartoum, and other regions. In the 14 months of fighting that followed, more than 14,000 people have been killed and 33,000 wounded, according to UN reports, though rights activists believe the true toll may be much higher.

Reports of widespread sexual violence and other atrocities have emerged, with rights groups categorizing these acts as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The conflict has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, forcing over 11 million people to flee their homes.

“Both the SAF [Sudanese Armed Forces] and the RSF are using food as a weapon and starving civilians,” stated the UN experts. “The extent of hunger and displacement we see in Sudan today is unprecedented and never witnessed before.”

Efforts to obtain comments from the military and RSF were unsuccessful.

The experts warned that famine is imminent as humanitarian aid has been obstructed and harvests disrupted by ongoing conflict. They estimate that over 25 million civilians in Sudan, including those who have fled the country, are at risk of starvation and urgently need humanitarian assistance.

A recent report by the Clingendael Institute suggested that approximately 2.5 million people in Sudan could die from hunger by the end of September, with Darfur and Kordofan regions expected to be the hardest hit, potentially affecting 15% of their populations.

Local responses to the hunger crisis have been severely hindered by unprecedented violence and targeted attacks on civil society and local responders. Dozens of activists and volunteers have been arrested, threatened, and prosecuted in recent weeks.

“The deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers and local volunteers has undermined aid operations, putting millions of people at further risk of starvation,” the UN experts added. “Local responders are risking their health and lives and working across battle lines.”

They called on both warring factions to “stop blocking, looting, and exploiting humanitarian assistance.”

The fighting has recently intensified around El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, trapping hundreds of thousands of civilians. According to the UN, at least 143,000 people have fled the city in the past three months. The UN Security Council has demanded that the RSF immediately lift its siege of El Fasher, the military’s last stronghold in the Darfur region.

The experts involved are part of the UN special procedures, the largest body of independent experts within the organization’s human rights system. Their urgent plea underscores the dire need for immediate international intervention to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.

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