Sudan’s sovereign council, on Wednesday, announced an extension of access to the Adre border crossing with Chad, a move hailed as critical by aid organisations.
The crossing is vital for delivering food, medical supplies, and other essentials to famine-threatened regions in Darfur and Kordofan, where millions are grappling with acute hunger.
Earlier this year, experts reported that more than 25 million Sudanese were facing severe food shortages, with famine risk sharply rising in specific areas. One camp in Darfur, Zamzam, is already experiencing famine, fueled by ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These factions have been embroiled in a power struggle, causing widespread displacement and disrupting the already fragile food supply chain across the country.
The Adre crossing had been closed in February under a directive from the army-controlled government but was temporarily re-opened in August for three months, set to close again on November 15. This latest extension marks a continued lifeline for aid efforts, although some government members expressed concerns, alleging that the crossing could facilitate RSF weapon deliveries. Despite these fears, the Sudanese army does not physically control the Adre border, which lies in RSF-held territory after a takeover last year. The RSF’s presence in the region means the Sudanese army’s ability to regulate the area is limited, prompting concerns from officials about maintaining control.
Given the political tension, humanitarian agencies have been cautious, choosing not to defy the Sudanese government directives, and initially prepared for the possible closure of the corridor. Without Adre, aid organisations would have had to depend on less efficient routes, such as cross-line deliveries from Port Sudan—an area under army control—or the more remote al-Tina crossing.
When Adre reopened in August, heavy rains and damaged infrastructure initially slowed the flow of aid. Since then, however, the crossing has become a lifeline for many. Over 300 aid trucks, carrying supplies for an estimated 1.3 million people, have successfully crossed into Sudan through Adre, according to Ramesh Rajasingham, a UN humanitarian coordinator, who briefed the UN Security Council on the situation on Tuesday.
In recent days, the World Food Programme (WFP) successfully moved a convoy of 15 trucks through Adre, transporting food and nutrition supplies for approximately 12,500 people in the Zamzam camp. The WFP’s spokeswoman, Leni Kinzli, noted the significance of this support as critical for thousands at risk of starvation.
As humanitarian organisations continue to deliver aid amid challenging conditions, the extended opening of the Adre crossing offers a glimmer of hope for the millions facing hunger and malnutrition in Sudan. Yet, without a resolution to the conflict and sustainable infrastructure, the risk of famine remains a looming reality for vulnerable communities across the nation.
Melissa Enoch
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