Sudan Will Not Starve .. (2)

Al-Tahir Sati

:: The World Food Programme (WFP), the largest international organization for combating hunger, reported after a year and a half of war that Sudan is experiencing an unprecedented famine. However, three months after issuing that report, the same organization submitted a request to the Sudanese government — a request that is unparalleled in its irony.

:: The WFP’s request was a plea to the Sudanese government to sell it 5,000 tons of sorghum to support South Sudan, which has been facing a severe food crisis since the outbreak of the Dagalo militia war in Sudan. Just imagine the contradiction in its ugliest form — a report of famine, followed by a request for food from the same supposedly famine-stricken country!

:: In response, the Sudanese government, represented by officials from the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, asked the organization: (According to your report, we are starving — so how can a starving country feed another starving country?) The organization had no response other than embarrassed silence and regret over its misleading report, which was clearly aimed at attracting donor funds.

:: Nevertheless, the Sudanese government agreed to sell the requested quantity — not out of greed for money, but out of consideration for the rights of neighboring countries, despite the cooperation of South Sudan’s government — backed by the UAE’s new mercenaries — with the Dagalo militia. They know that their daily sustenance is grown on Sudanese soil and that their lifeline runs through the same land — so they should beware the wrath of the patient!

:: Importantly, after approving the request, the Minister of Agriculture directed the WFP to purchase the required quantity from the associations Al-Jawhara, Al-Tawasul, Muhla, Asham Bakar, Tamadhuj Al-Sumoud, and Ibad Al-Rahman — all located in Al-Qadarif, most of which are women’s associations. The organization complied with this directive and bought the sorghum from these associations at $850 per ton.

:: Just think about it again — the organization claims that our country is suffering from famine, yet it buys food from our country to supply a neighboring state. And from whom? From grassroots associations, most of them run by women! The Minister of Agriculture’s decision to source from these women-led associations sends a clear message: A nation whose fields are tended by its resilient women and courageous daughters will not starve!

:: And the question remains: despite the war, the destruction and looting of agricultural projects in Al-Jazira and Sennar by the Dagalo militia, and the loss of large agricultural areas in Darfur and Kordofan — how did our country still manage to produce enough millet and sorghum to exceed domestic needs, totaling 6.7 million tons? How? Through God’s blessing and the hard work of dedicated fighters in the production frontlines!

:: Another question follows: despite the war, the destruction and looting of Al-Jazira and Sennar’s agricultural projects by the Dagalo militia, and the loss of production areas in Northern State and the Nile River State due to the disruption of power stations by UAE drones launched from Chad’s airports — how did our country manage to produce 50% of its wheat consumption this season? How? Through God’s grace and the determination of the warriors in the production battlefields!