UN: Warring Parties Agree to Allow Aid Delivery to El Fasher and Surrounding Areas

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The United Nations has confirmed that both parties to the conflict in Sudan have agreed to allow the international organization to deliver humanitarian aid to El Fasher and Zamzam Camp in North Darfur State.

The UN stated that the agreement followed separate phone calls made by Tom Fletcher, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, with the Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Deputy Commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Abdel Rahim Dagalo. This was announced by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a press briefing in New York on Monday.

Tom Fletcher tweeted on X, saying, “Today I spoke with General Burhan and General Dagalo. Both pledged full humanitarian access. We are ready to reach and support civilians.”

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Sovereignty Council announced via X that it had agreed to establish a logistical supply route through the areas of Mellit and Tawila to facilitate humanitarian operations.

The Council’s statement noted that the conversation with the UN Assistant Secretary-General focused on expediting the delivery of aid to the city of El Fasher.

The area of Mellit is under the control of the RSF, while Tawila is controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur. Tens of thousands of displaced people have fled to Tawila following escalating violence in El Fasher, which has been under siege by the RSF for nearly a year.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, had previously issued a statement warning that the humanitarian community in Sudan is facing critical and growing operational challenges in North Darfur, driven by mass forced displacement of civilians from existing infrastructure and aid services.

The UN has also reported “horrific accounts of killings, sexual violence, mass displacement, and overwhelming humanitarian needs among those remaining in the region.”