[SUDANTRIBUNE] The Sudanese government confirmed its approval of the use of the Al-Tina crossing on the Chad-El-Fasher route for the delivery of designated humanitarian aid to the Darfur region.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the foreign ministry said it informed the United Nations of its approval to utilize the Al-Tina crossing on the Chad-El-Fasher route for the delivery of designated humanitarian aid.
“This decision is subject to a technical agreement with the Chadian government and should align with UN Security Council Resolution No. 1591” stressed the statement referring to the arms embargo to Darfur adopted in 2005.
The foreign ministry indicated additional access routes for humanitarian aid including, Port Sudan – Atbara – Mellit – El Fasher, the Red Sea route from Egypt to Port Sudan, Wadi Halfa-Dongola crossing and Renk – Kosti route via river and land transport from South Sudan.
Also, El Fasher, Kadugli, and El Obeid airports could be used as alternative access points in case of land route difficulties.
On Tuesday evening, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkwita Salami, stated that the Sudanese government agreed to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery via the Al-Tina border crossing into Darfur, and from South Sudan via Renk’s border crossing to Kosti. Also, humanitarian flights to El Fasher, Kadugli, and El Obeid airports will be permitted.
In a related development, USAID Spokesperson Jessica Jennings stated that Administrator Samantha Power spoke with the head of the Sovereign Council and Commander in Chief of the Sudanese Army Abdel Fattah al-Burhan about the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan.
“Administrator Power stressed the need to re-establish cross-border access from Chad, remove bureaucratic impediments, and ensure safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access for aid workers to urgently deliver life-saving assistance”
The vital delivery of humanitarian aid to Darfur was abruptly halted after authorities revoked permits for WFP’s cross-border truck convoys from Chad. This lifeline had reached over one million people in West and Central Darfur since August. With hunger and malnutrition rapidly escalating in the region, WFP was scaling up its operations to meet the growing needs, but these efforts had been halted by the recent ban.
The WFP chief, Cindy McCain on Tuesday warned that “The war in Sudan risks triggering the world’s largest hunger crisis”.
McCain further underscored the urgent need for unimpeded access in Sudan to address the escalating food insecurity, which will have significant long-term impacts on the region.
The international official was in Renk in eastern South Sudan where almost 600,000 people have crossed from Sudan in the last 10 months. She visited the crowded transit camps where families arrive hungry and are met with more hunger.
SLM-TC leader criticizes Sudan's humanitarian access plan, calls for inclusive approach
[SUDANTRIBUNE] al-Hadi Idris, head of the Sudan
 ...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...
Liberation Movement — Transitional Council, criticized the Sudanese government’s decision regarding the entry of humanitarian aid. He urged the United Nations
...a formerly good idea gone bad...
to engage with all parties involved in the conflict, including armed movements and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to ensure aid reaches all affected areas.
On Wednesday, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry informed the UN about allowing humanitarian aid through designated sea, land, and air routes, including the al-Tina crossing connecting Chad to North Darfur, a government-controlled area.
In a statement to Sudan Tribune, Idris expressed concern over the UN’s limited consultation with the "Port Sudan government," as he calls it. He emphasized the importance of including all stakeholders, particularly armed movements and the RSF, arguing that securing aid delivery routes requires cooperation.
"The presence of other parties is crucial," Idris stated. "The UN should consult the armed movements and the RSF to agree on crossing points and routes from Chad. Securing these routes requires all parties’ participation to guarantee aid access to war-affected areas."
He further feared that aid might accumulate in government-controlled areas, failing to reach others.
"If the government and the UN fail to address this reality, other parties might independently engage with humanitarian organizations," Idris warned. "Such a scenario could create a situation akin to the Libyan model, with multiple governing bodies, which we must strive to avoid. Currently, the government controls a portion of the country, while other areas remain under the control of different groups."
Previously, humanitarian convoys from Chad entered Darfur under UN supervision. However,
alcohol has never solved anybody's problems. But then, neither has milk...
the government’s recent ban, citing concerns about the RSF’s potential interference and weapon smuggling, drew criticism from the UN, US, and EU, prompting the revised approach.
Regarding aid distribution, Idris proposed overseeing the process by a high-level civilian committee selected under UN supervision and independent of gangs. The committee, he suggested, should comprise representatives from various regions and cities. He reiterated that the army, armed movements, and RSF be solely responsible for securing aid convoys to prevent attacks and theft.
Due to the lingering conflict, 25 million Sudanese people require humanitarian assistance, nearly 18 million of whom face critical food insecurity. The prolonged fighting has devastated livelihoods and crippled the nation’s industrial sector.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) issued a statement indicating their rejection of the government’s designated aid delivery routes through Port Sudan. However,
alcohol has never solved anybody's problems. But then, neither has milk...
the RSF expressed their willingness to reach an agreement that ensures transparent border-crossing aid delivery based on well-defined principles.
The paramilitary force accused the army of weaponizing humanitarian aid by deliberately obstructing its access to the states of Darfur, Kordofan, al-Jazirah, and Khartoum.
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