Khartoum: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has voiced strong disapproval of the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) recent statements regarding the humanitarian situation in Sudan. These statements, issued by the NRC Secretary-General on November 22 and followed by remarks from the NRC’s Country Director in Sudan before the British House of Commons, have been criticized for their unfounded accusations and perceived bias against the Sudanese government and its armed forces.
According to Sudan News Agency, the Ministry specifically condemned the Secretary-General’s claims that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) were using starvation as a weapon and obstructing humanitarian aid, allegations that the Ministry attributes to the Janjaweed militias instead. The Ministry also refuted claims that the Sudanese Air Force targets civilian homes, highlighting that approximately 11 million displaced civilians live in SAF-controlled areas, where international humanitarian law is strictly adhered to. The Ministry accused the NRC
of failing to acknowledge the Sudanese Government’s efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid, including opening border crossings and airports for aid delivery, even to regions outside its control.
Furthermore, the Ministry criticized the NRC’s Country Director’s remarks before the British House of Commons, which alleged that Sudan’s humanitarian regulations hinder aid delivery. The Ministry viewed these comments as politically motivated and an attempt to tarnish Sudan’s international reputation, suggesting a bias that undermines SAF’s role in protecting civilians from militia atrocities. The Ministry expressed regret over what it perceives as the NRC’s politicization of humanitarian work and its failure to hold the Militia accountable, which it sees as an implicit endorsement of ongoing crimes.