A prominent South Sudanese bishop has condemned the use of food as a weapon in Sudan’s civil war, warning of impending famine as a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict.
Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo of Yei, South Sudan, spoke out against the tactics employed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) during a session with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. He highlighted the obstruction faced by humanitarian agencies, which are often prevented from delivering essential food aid due to security concerns.
“The RSF hinders humanitarian efforts by blocking food aid deliveries, viewing aid provision as potentially strengthening their adversaries,” Sakor Eyobo explained. “This deliberate obstruction exacerbates famine conditions, which are not due to natural causes like drought, but rather a consequence of conflict.”
According to the Center for Preventive Action, the civil war, which erupted in April 2023 between rival factions in Sudan’s capital, has claimed nearly 15,000 lives and displaced over 8.2 million people. Approximately 2 million of the displaced have sought refuge in neighboring volatile regions such as Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported a daily exodus of Sudanese fleeing violence, citing brutal human rights abuses, disrupted services, and limited access to humanitarian aid. Ewan Watson, Head of Global Communications at UNHCR, emphasized the dire situation, including anticipated severe flooding exacerbating aid delivery challenges and trapping people in areas without adequate assistance.
Sakor Eyobo underscored the broader implications of displacement on food security, noting, “People forced to flee their homes lose the means to produce food or earn income. Even if food is available in markets, displaced individuals lack resources to purchase it, perpetuating famine conditions.”
Highlighting Pope Francis’s stance on conflict, Sakor Eyobo lamented the destructive impact of war on communities, urging proactive engagement by the humanitarian community to address these urgent issues.
Bishop Paul Swarbrick, Lead Bishop for Africa at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for swift resolution of the Sudanese conflict. “As Sudan’s crisis spills over into neighboring countries, including South Sudan, the international community must prioritize effective intervention,” he emphasized.
Swarbrick also acknowledged the Church’s resilience amid instability, expressing gratitude for ongoing support amid political turmoil and food insecurity. “The Church remains a beacon of hope during these challenging times,” he affirmed.
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