The United States, the European Union and around 30 other countries have warned of an “alarming deterioration” in Sudan’s food security and urged the warring parties to lift all obstacles to aid, in a joint statement released by the US State Department on Monday, October 26, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera. The warning came as Britain sanctioned 15 commanders from both sides over atrocities linked to the fall of El Fasher one year ago.
Signatories call for urgent action
The signatories, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management, said the risk of famine flagged by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) for the coming months required “urgent action,” Reuters reported. “The parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people,” the statement said.
They called on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to authorise humanitarian operations through all crossline and cross-border routes, including air access into Darfur, to protect aid workers across the country and to refrain from striking civilian infrastructure. The statement also asked donors to increase funding and international financial institutions to adapt their programmes to the food crisis.
Hunger compounded by drought
According to the IPC’s June assessment, 5.1 million people in Sudan were facing severe hunger. Without immediate action, cases of severe acute malnutrition among children could exceed the projected 825,000, Al Jazeera reported. Farmers have struggled to harvest since the war began in April 2023, and an El Niño-linked drought this year has pushed up food prices and cut supplies.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 13 million, according to figures cited by Al Jazeera, while Reuters puts the number of displaced above 14 million. Last month, the State Department said that neither the army, the RSF nor their leaders represented legitimate, constitutional governance in Sudan.
UK sanctions over El Fasher atrocities
Also on Monday, the British government announced travel bans and asset freezes on 15 military commanders, militia leaders and security officials from both the RSF and the SAF over sexual violence, torture and attacks on civilians, Al Jazeera reported, citing DPA and Reuters. Those named include RSF colonel Hussein Abu Jalak, linked to abuses during the siege of El Fasher, and Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as “al-Qubba,” whom the Foreign Office said played a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city.
“Rape and starvation are still being weaponised against the people of Sudan,” Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said, according to Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera, adding that perpetrators “must be held accountable” and that support from external backers of both warring parties must end. London also pledged 5 million pounds for survivors of sexual violence and 10 million pounds in humanitarian aid.
One year after the fall of El Fasher
The RSF seized El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26, 2025, after a siege of around 18 months. A UN fact-finding mission said in February that mass killings during the takeover were “indicators of a genocidal path,” targeting non-Arab communities, Arab News reported. The RSF has denied abuses, and the health minister of its parallel administration has called allegations that its forces used a city hospital as a military base “lies.”
Washington has accused the RSF of genocide and the army of war crimes, charges both sides have rejected. The United Arab Emirates, which Amnesty International says “has continued to support the RSF,” denies any involvement, Middle East Eye and Arab News reported.