Sudanese Government Extends Opening “Adre” Border Crossing; Minawi Warns of Military Use by UAE and Militia

The Sudanese government has decided to extend the opening of the “Adre” border crossing with Chad for an additional three months to ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in Darfur, despite ongoing security concerns.

Governor of Darfur Region Minni Arko Minnawi urged the United Nations to replace the crossing immediately, warning that it has effectively become a military corridor used by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to transport war supplies.

During meetings in Geneva, Minnawi called for the establishment of alternative crossings that are safer and more efficient, cautioning that the militia is exploiting humanitarian routes to alter the region’s demographics and tighten its siege on civilians.

Minnawi met with Acting Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Gemma Connell, in Geneva. According to the Sudan News Agency, he said: “There is a need to review the use of Adre crossing given its use by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the UAE for military purposes, in addition to logistical difficulties associated with its operation.”