The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) strongly condemns the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for politically exploiting humanitarian assistance

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) strongly condemns the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for politically exploiting humanitarian assistance. This exploitation involves deliberately hindering civilians' access to essential aid in the regions of Darfur, Kordofan, Gezira, and Khartoum. Such actions represent a severe breach of international and humanitarian law, potentially qualifying as war crimes.

The SAF has systematically obstructed the delivery of humanitarian aid through a series of bureaucratic hurdles. These include impeding the issuance of visas for humanitarian workers and controlling permissions for aid deliveries to areas under our protection. This strategy is designed to politically punish the inhabitants of these regions, neglecting the dire humanitarian crisis that borders on famine.

There is an urgent need for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected. Our negotiation team proposed at the Jeddah platform to open specific airports for humanitarian purposes, a proposal that was unfortunately rejected by the SAF. Furthermore, the SAF has reneged on its commitments outlined in the Jeddah Declaration of May 11, 2023, and the humanitarian commitments document of Nov. 4, 2023. They also dismissed a proposition for a meeting in Switzerland intended to facilitate humanitarian access.

We have continually highlighted the urgent humanitarian situation through warnings and appeals. To further this cause, we established a humanitarian aid agency and, recently, RSF Commander, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo issued a humanitarian appeal with practical proposals to ease humanitarian access.

The RSF reiterates its dedication to facilitating humanitarian aid and expresses its readiness to collaborate with relevant organizations. This includes opening airports, national roads, and all border crossings under our protection, to aid millions of affected Sudanese citizens. We emphasize that the United Nations' implementation of this does not require consent from the other party, as their agreement provides no legal foundation for cross-border aid delivery in areas they do not control.

It is clear that the SAF, being a party to the conflict, does not possess the unilateral right to make agreements without the RSF's involvement. Thus, any humanitarian aid agreement made solely with the SAF does not reflect the RSF's position. Moreover, the de facto government, which only controls Port Sudan, lacks the authority to decide on border openings or the operation of the El Fasher and El Obeid airports, as these are not under its control.

The RSF is prepared to endorse any humanitarian aid agreement that ensures cross-border aid delivery to crucial recipients and is not weaponized against the Sudanese people. Such an agreement must adhere to principles and rules reflecting the commitment of all parties involved.

We vehemently oppose any misuse of humanitarian aid for acquiring illegitimate power or for the benefit of coup leaders and remnants of the former regime, who seek to maintain their de facto rule. It is wholly unacceptable to jeopardize the lives of millions for the whims of a corrupt faction responsible for instigating the ongoing conflict and the resultant suffering of our people for over three decades.

Office of the Official Spokesperson 
Rapid Support Forces