The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a paramilitary group controlling the Nuba Mountains and parts of Blue Nile state, announced on Wednesday that the local population is facing a dire hunger crisis.
According to the SPLM-N, 20% of families in these areas are experiencing severe food shortages, with 30% of children suffering from malnutrition. An Arabic version of their statement classified the situation as a famine.
The group attributed the crisis to the ongoing civil war in Sudan and a poor harvest. They described the situation in their controlled regions as “the most severe compared to other states.” The SPLM-N noted that the limited food produced by the local communities is being rapidly depleted due to the growing demand.
The SPLM-N controls territories housing approximately 3.9 million people, a population that has grown due to the displacement of individuals from other conflict-ridden parts of Sudan.
The war between General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has plunged half of the country’s 50 million population into food insecurity, creating what is currently the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. In June, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitor, reported that 756,000 people across Sudan are facing catastrophic hunger.
The SPLM-N accused al-Burhan’s forces of obstructing aid delivery and damaging essential infrastructure and markets needed for food production and distribution.
The group also accused the army-aligned government in Port Sudan of selling aid meant for their regions, while alleging that the RSF has been closing markets.
Neither the SAF nor the RSF responded immediately to requests for comment.
