Sudan: RSF Detains 32 WFP Aid Trucks in North Darfur, Demands Payment

• The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are accused of detaining 32 World Food Programme (WFP) aid trucks in North Darfur.
• Darfur's Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Abd al-Baqi Muhammad Hamid, reported the RSF demanded large sums of money for their release.
• The trucks were part of a 60-vehicle convoy that entered via the Al-Tina border crossing, with 44 forcibly diverted to Al-Fasher.
• Only 12 of the diverted trucks were released after three days, leaving 32 still held.
• The incident, described as piracy and extortion, severely impacts humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations in Sudan.

This detention of WFP aid trucks represents a significant violation of international humanitarian principles, which mandate unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance to populations in need.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of detaining 32 World Food Programme (WFP) aid trucks in North Darfur, an incident reported on October 4, 2026. Abd al-Baqi Muhammad Hamid, the Commissioner of Humanitarian Aid for the Darfur Region government, stated that the trucks were part of a larger convoy carrying essential food supplies intended for several localities within North Darfur, including Kabkabiya, Al-Sarif, Kutum, Al-Tina, Karnoi, Um Baru, Mellit, Al-Sayah, and Sartoni.

The original convoy, comprising 60 trucks, had entered Sudan via the Al-Tina border crossing the previous week. According to the Commissioner, 16 of these trucks halted in the Mellit and Al-Sayah areas. However, the remaining 44 trucks were intercepted by RSF elements in Kutum and forcibly rerouted to Al-Fasher. After a three-day period, only 12 of these diverted vehicles were released, leaving 32 trucks still under RSF detention.

Commissioner Hamid further disclosed that the RSF has demanded substantial financial payments as a condition for the release of the remaining 32 trucks. He characterized this action as akin to piracy, extortion, and blackmail, highlighting the severe implications for humanitarian operations in the region.

This detention of WFP aid trucks represents a significant violation of international humanitarian principles, which mandate unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance to populations in need. The Darfur regional government had only recently, on September 25, 2026, announced the activation of the Al-Tina border crossing specifically to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Al-Tina border crossing serves as a crucial land route for transporting vital supplies from Chad into Darfur. The incident underscores the fragility of aid corridors and the challenges faced by organizations like the World Food Programme in delivering life-saving assistance. Large swathes of Darfur are heavily dependent on humanitarian aid to meet fundamental needs such as food, health services, and shelter, making any obstruction of aid flow particularly devastating.

The RSF's actions, described as demanding large sums of money for the release of aid, not only impede critical relief efforts but also raise serious concerns regarding compliance exposure and potential violations of international humanitarian law. Such incidents of aid obstruction, diversion, and extortion create an environment of extreme risk for humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones, forcing them to reassess their operational security and the safety of their personnel and assets.

This event highlights the urgent need for international bodies and humanitarian organizations to address the risks of aid diversion and the legal ramifications for all parties involved under the laws of armed conflict. The continued detention of these 32 WFP aid trucks, coupled with the demand for payment, directly undermines efforts to alleviate suffering in a region already grappling with widespread humanitarian crises, further jeopardizing the well-being of countless vulnerable individuals who rely on this assistance for survival.

Lawyers advising humanitarian organizations or international bodies operating in Sudan should note this incident as a significant compliance exposure and potential violation of international humanitarian law regarding unimpeded humanitarian access. It underscores the need to assess risks of aid diversion, extortion, and the legal ramifications for both aid providers and the detaining parties under conflict laws.

Source: Original reporting via Sudan Tribune