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Bongani Ndlovu, Online Reporter

THE World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended operations in Sudan after three workers were killed in clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April.

Clashes between Sudan’s military and the country’s main paramilitary force have left at least 56 dead, while control of the presidential palace and the international airport in Khartoum is in doubt after disputed claims from both sides, in fighting that threatens to destabilise Sudan and the wider region.

In a statement, Ambassador Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme said she was heartbroken following the death of the three workers in the line of duty.

“I am appalled and heartbroken by the tragic deaths of three WFP employees on Saturday 15 April in violence in Kabkabiya, North Darfur while carrying out their life saving duties on the front lines of the global hunger crisis. Two WFP employees were also injured in the same incident. We have informed the families of these dedicated team members and stand with them and our entire WFP family at this time of catastrophe,” she said.

Ambassador McCain said any loss of life in humanitarian service is unacceptable and demand immediate steps to guarantee the safety of those who remain.

“Aid workers are neutral and should never be a target. Threats to our teams make it impossible to operate safely and effectively in the country and carry out WFP’s critical work.

In a separate incident, one WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) aircraft was also significantly damaged at Khartoum International airport during an exchange of gunfire on 15 April, seriously impacting WFP’s ability to move humanitarian workers and aid within the country,” she said.

Ambassador McCain said WFP has halted all operations in Sudan as it accesses the security situation.

“While we review the evolving security situation, we are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan. WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity, but we cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed,” said Ambassador McCain.

She added that: “All parties must come to an agreement that ensures the safety of humanitarian workers on the ground and enables the continued delivery of life saving humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan. They remain our top priority.

The clashes erupted amid an apparent power struggle between the two main factions of Sudan’s military regime.

The Sudanese armed forces are broadly loyal to Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s de facto ruler, while the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a collection of militia, follow the former warlord Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

Additional information from The Guardian