Sudan Denies Famine Despite Growing Hunger Crisis

Cairo/Dubai – Sudan’s agriculture minister has dismissed claims of famine in the country, contradicting UN-backed data indicating that 755,000 people are facing catastrophic hunger. The minister, Abubakr al-Bushra, argued that this figure represents a small fraction of Sudan’s 50 million population.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has plunged the nation into its worst hunger crisis in history. Aid agencies and residents have accused the army of blocking humanitarian access to RSF-controlled areas, where supplies are scarce and often stolen.

Despite the dire situation, the minister has rejected calls for international intervention, including the potential deployment of aid through additional border crossings. He expressed concerns that such a move could destabilize the country further.

The UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has identified 14 areas in Sudan at risk of famine, based on severe hunger levels, child malnutrition rates, and starvation deaths. However, the Sudanese government disputes the accuracy of this data, particularly in RSF-controlled regions.