Sudan Opens Adre Border Crossing with Chad to Aid Agencies Amid Food Crisis

Sudan's sovereign council announced it will open the Adre border crossing with Chad for three months, allowing aid agencies to deliver much-needed supplies to famine-threatened areas in Darfur. This comes as over 6 million people face food insecurity, with the army and Rapid Support Forces blaming each other for the crisis.

Sudan's sovereign council announced on Thursday that it will open the Adre border crossing with Chad for a three-month period. This move is highly anticipated by aid agencies aiming to deliver supplies to famine-stricken regions of Darfur.

Over 6 million people in Darfur are facing food insecurity, largely in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF and the army have been embroiled in a 16-month conflict, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The government had previously blocked aid deliveries through the Adre crossing, alleging it was used for weapon smuggling by the RSF.

Earlier this year, U.N. experts found credible evidence of weapon deliveries to the RSF from the United Arab Emirates via Chad, claims that both the UAE and RSF deny. The prohibition on the Adre crossing has stranded thousands of tonnes of aid in Chad as the army's only approved entry point, al-Tina, has been affected by severe rains.

Othamn Khojali, deputy head of Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commission, stated that demands to open the Adre crossing were part of a political agenda and not about aiding the country. The Council's decision seems aimed at pre-empting security council calls for unilateral action. Khojali also dismissed famine claims but accused the RSF of exacerbating food shortages through looting.

With half of Sudan's population facing food insecurity, the council's decision comes during critical talks in Switzerland, aiming to end the ongoing conflict and assist in humanitarian efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)