Sudanese army denies RSF’s accusation of targeting aid convoy

On August 21st the Sudanese army denied an accusation from the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces that they hit an aid convoy in an airstrike, according to the Middle East Monitor.

The airstrike in the town of Mellit on August 20th damaged three vehicles in a 16-vehicle convoy from the World Food Programme carrying humanitarian aid into Darfur, but no staff were injured.

The Sudanese army made a statement on X that the claims that they had carried out the attack were “fabricated” and the Rapid Support Forces were trying to cover up what was their attack on the convoy in Mellit.

In April of 2023 the power struggle between the Sudanese Army and the RSP became a violent civil war, over the course of which both sides have been accused of committing atrocities.

The Army’s statement on X accused the RSF of committing “continuous violations” including looting, killing, rape, and forcible displacing civilians.

They also alleged that the RSF is using camps for displaced people as training grounds with help from foreign mercenaries.

14 million people have been displaced so far by the war, either living in displacement camps or having fled to neighbouring countries such as Libya and Egypt.

The army defended itself by stating that “The government, which opened humanitarian aid corridors, including the Adré crossing with Chad, cannot under any circumstances target convoys carrying aid destined for our people.”

They also vowed to continue their operations against the RSF and what they describe as their foreign backers “until the nation is free of their crimes.”

On August 14th the leader of the Sudanese army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, publicly ruled out the prospect of reconciling with the RSF following a meeting in Switzerland on August 11th with the U.S Senior Advisor to Africa to discuss ceasefire talks.

Middle East Monitor/Maghrebi