People queue o register for food aid at a camp for the internally displaced in Agari, North Kordofan, Sudan. AFP
People queue o register for food aid at a camp for the internally displaced in Agari, North Kordofan, Sudan. AFP
People queue o register for food aid at a camp for the internally displaced in Agari, North Kordofan, Sudan. AFP
People queue o register for food aid at a camp for the internally displaced in Agari, North Kordofan, Sudan. AFP

Sudanese warring parties using starvation as weapon, UN experts say


Adla Massoud
  • English
  • Arabic

Both factions in Sudan's conflict are using starvation as a weapon of war and widespread famine is imminent, UN experts warned on Wednesday.

The four experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, said more than 25 million civilians in Sudan require urgent humanitarian assistance.

“Humanitarian aid is being blocked and the harvest season has been disrupted due to the armed conflict, making widespread famine imminent in the coming months,” the experts said.

The Sudanese army as well as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are using food as a weapon, the experts said, adding that foreign powers providing military support to either side are “complicit” in starvation crimes, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

While they refrained from specifying the countries involved, they urged the warring parties to immediately agree to a ceasefire and start inclusive political negotiations.

They called on the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF to stop blocking, looting and exploiting humanitarian assistance.

“The extent of hunger and displacement we see in Sudan today is unprecedented and never witnessed before,” the experts said, in a statement.

The UN says about 10 million people have fled their homes across Sudan since the army and RSF fell out over a planned integration of their forces and started fighting in the capital Khartoum in April last year.

Local efforts to address hunger are being hampered by unprecedented violence and targeted attacks on civil society and local responders, with dozens of activists and local volunteers arrested, threatened and prosecuted in recent weeks, the experts said.

They emphasised that in 2019, Sudanese citizens pursued a civilian government and the recognition of their human rights through a peaceful revolution.

However, their aspirations were dashed by a coup, leading to the continuing conflict that is exacerbated by external influences.

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Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
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Sector: Finance / legal
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115 Special programme for artists

25   Evacuation of injured and sick

Kalra's feat
  • Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
  • Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
  • Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
  • Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

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“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

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For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.

Prophets of Rage

(Fantasy Records)

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2/5

Updated: June 26, 2024, 3:48 PM`