Sudan's military government has expelled two senior officials from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), declaring them "personae non grata" and ordering their departure within 72 hours. The WFP stated that this decision comes at a critical time when humanitarian needs in Sudan are significant, with over 24 million people facing acute food insecurity.
Expulsion Details
The WFP reported that directors of its Sudan operation were expelled without a stated reason. While the military government has not publicly provided a cause for the expulsions, it has previously accused aid organizations of violating local laws and issuing inaccurate reports on famine conditions. State news agency Suna reported that the government affirmed the expulsions would not impact cooperation with the WFP. The WFP has stated it is engaging with Sudanese authorities to resolve the situation.
Conflict Escalation in Darfur
The expulsions follow a period of intensified conflict, specifically the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) capture of el-Fasher in Darfur from the military. This occurred after an 18-month siege that included a food blockade. The civil war, which began in April 2023, has recently seen a significant escalation.
Humanitarian Concerns in El-Fasher
Concerns have been raised regarding the estimated 250,000 residents of el-Fasher, many from non-Arab communities, following its fall. Reports of atrocities, including mass-killings, have emerged. A person who evacuated el-Fasher described conditions as involving "violations taking place on the roads, including looting and shooting, with no distinction made between young or old." Many displaced individuals have sought refuge in Tawila, a town 60km (37 miles) west of el-Fasher, which already accommodates approximately 800,000 people, including those who fled the Zamzam camp after an RSF attack in April.
Allegations and Denials
Since the conflict's onset, the RSF and allied Arab militia in Darfur have faced accusations of targeting non-Arab ethnic groups. The RSF denies these allegations. The el-Fasher Resistance Committee, a local activist group, accused the RSF of executing wounded individuals at the city's Saudi Hospital. Researchers at Yale University, analyzing satellite images, reported findings that appear to show "clusters" of bodies within the hospital grounds, which they indicated support this allegation. The RSF maintains that it does not target civilians.
Historical Context and International Response
International bodies, including the European Union and African Union, have expressed concern over the situation. Local residents have drawn parallels to Darfur's history of conflict. From 2003 to 2020, Darfur experienced a significant humanitarian crisis, during which the Janjaweed militia, accused of genocide and ethnic cleansing, evolved into the current RSF. Sudanese-American poet Emtithal Mahmoud, who has family in el-Fasher, described feeling a "genocide" was recurring, citing social media footage.