The United Nations has issued a fresh warning that civilians in Sudan’s Kordofan region face a growing risk of famine as fighting intensifies.
In a briefing in New York on Thursday, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said people in the towns of Dilling and Kadugli were trapped, facing “extreme hardship” with limited access to food, medicine and essential services.
He said famine conditions had already been identified in Kadugli, in South Kordofan State.
The warning comes amid escalating violence and sieges that have cut off multiple cities across the Kordofan region.
Humanitarian workers in Sudan said the violence was restricting farmers’ access to their fields and markets, increasing the danger of famine spreading.
They also expressed deep concern over continued attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and shelters.
The UN stressed that all parties to the conflict must protect civilians and aid workers, and allow safe access for humanitarian deliveries to 1.1 million people in need across Kordofan.
In North Darfur State, the aid group Save the Children said more than 43,000 people displaced from El Fasher in late October had arrived in Korma town and Silk camp, straining scarce resources.
An assessment found critical shortages of food, healthcare, water and sanitation.
Questions on diplomacy
In a question-and-answer session, journalists asked about the political trajectory of the crisis.
The UN spokesperson was asked about recent comments by Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) leader Abdel Fattah Burhan, who said disarming the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was a priority before any talks.
The UN spokesperson said the people of Sudan were “paying the ultimate price” while leaders continued to fight.
He said the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, was in touch with all parties and had received “cautiously positive signals” that both the Sudanese government and the RSF were willing to engage.
When asked if the UN Secretary-General would invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter over Sudan – a rare move he used previously to highlight the Gaza crisis – the spokesperson said the current focus was on improving humanitarian access and political negotiations.
“You will be the second to know if there’s any invocation of Article 99,” he said.
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 between the SAF and the RSF. It has triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis, with millions forced from their homes.