The United States special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, has called for the swift implementation of humanitarian corridors and aid pauses to address the worsening crisis in the war-torn country. Speaking after discussions with Sudanese leaders, Perriello emphasized the urgent need for faster and more effective aid deliveries, particularly to regions grappling with acute hunger and disease.
While some progress has been made—such as approving flights to South Kordofan and extending access to the Adre border crossing into Darfur—Perriello stressed that more needs to be done. The ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), now in its 19th month, has severely disrupted aid efforts. The RSF faces accusations of looting, while the army has been criticized for bureaucratic delays.
Proposals for creating humanitarian corridors and pauses were shared with Sudan’s sovereign council leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, during Perriello’s visit to Port Sudan. Although some progress was achieved, Burhan expressed reservations, stating, “The war must stop first and the rebels must vacate the areas they occupy before relief efforts can fully resume.”
In October, Sudan’s sovereign council approved flights into Kadugli to deliver aid to South Kordofan, through an agreement with South Sudan. Perriello urged similar measures for other areas, including Khartoum, Omdurman, and El-Gezira, to deliver life-saving assistance to those in desperate need.
Despite US-led efforts, attempts to bring the warring sides to the negotiating table have so far failed. Perriello confirmed ongoing communication with RSF leadership to negotiate humanitarian access and broader peace initiatives.
