Deadly attack on UN aid convoy in Darfur sparks blame game between warring Sudanese Forces
NORTH DARFUR – The foreign Ministry of Sudan’s de facto government has condemned a deadly attack on a United Nations humanitarian convoy in North Darfur, accusing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of targeting the mission with drones. The strike occurred on Tuesday in the town of Al-Kuma, an area already severely affected by the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF.
In a strongly worded statement, the ministry blamed what it called “the terrorist Janjaweed militia” – a term the de facto government uses for the RSF – for carrying out the attack. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns this new criminal drone attack by the terrorist Janjaweed militia on the humanitarian relief convoy,” the statement read.
According to the Government, the strike destroyed multiple aid trucks carrying critical relief supplies. it also claimed the lives of several humanitarian workers, drivers, security escorts, and civilians. The ministry did not specify the total number of casualties.
“The attack adds to the militia’s black record of atrocity,” the ministry said, accusing the RSF of repeated violations of international humanitarian law, including “Killing innocent civilians, besieging towns, villages, and displacement camps, looting public and private property, destroying public infrastructure, committing rape and sexual violence, and blocking humanitarian aid deliveries.”
The ministry called on the international community to condemn the RSF and hold it full accountable for the attack. it also urged that responsibilities be extended to what it called the group’s “regional sponsor,” which it accused of arming and funding the RSF. Though unnamed in the statement, Sudanese authorities have previously alleged foreign backing of the RSF by regional powers.
“Disrupting the delivery of humanitarian assistance means putting civilians at risk of dying from hunger,” the ministry warned.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with the United Nations and aid organizations to ensure humanitarian access to civilians across Sudan. “We remain committed to working with the UN and humanitarian agencies to deliver aid to all those in need,” the statement said.
The attack has sparked competing narratives. while the Sudanese de facto government has blamed RSF, the RSF issued its own statement denying responsibilities and instead accused the SAF Air Force if striking the convoy. The UN, which confirmed the incident, has so far not assigned blame to any party.
the convoy was part of ongoing relief efforts to deliver urgently needed assistance in Darfur, where humanitarian conditions have sharply deteriorated due to the ongoing conflict. fighting between the SAF and the RSF erupted in April 2023 and has since caused massive displacement, famine-like conditions, and the collapse of public services in many parts of the country.
The de facto Foreign Ministry’s statement is the latest in a series of accusations between the two sides, as each seeks to control the narrative surrounding attacks on civilians and humanitarian operations. with humanitarian agencies warning of worsening conditions in Darfur, the incident underscores the increasing dangers faced by aid workers and the challenges of delivering assistance in a war zone.
sudanspost.com