Is Sudan’s food security exchanged for military support? Leaked documents raise concerns
-
A Khan
- . June 21, 2025
- . Update: June 21, 2025 11:27 pm
Today, Sudan is seeing one of the most brutal humanitarian and migrant crises. In such tough times, a set of leaked documents has raised serious concerns.
Today, Sudan is seeing one of the most brutal humanitarian and migrant crises. The military and the paramilitary group are engaged in a serious internal conflict for a couple of years. The general public is experiencing one of the darkest moments in the country’s history.
Sudan is in crisis. More than 30 million people are in humanitarian need, facing scarcity of daily essentials such as food, shelter and medicines. More than 12 million people are displaced since the beginning of the fighting.
Compounding the crisis, natural disasters from June to September 2024 continue to affect tens of thousands of people. Neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and Chad are offering shelter to Sudanese refugees, but they lack the resources to meet urgent needs.
Ceding of fertile land for direct military support?
Famine is spreading across Sudan. The internal fighting is critically hindering humanitarians’ ability to supply food to people in the most need of resources. Soaring food prices and a collapse of food supply are brutally impacting the people of Sudan.
In such tough times, a set of leaked documents has raised serious concerns across the globe. It has emerged that the Sudanese army and Egyptian authorities just concluded a series of secret deals, according to Sudan Leaks.
The media agency has reported the ceding of multiple tracts of fertile agricultural land in the north of Sudan in exchange for direct military support. This is immensely concerning, especially as fighting and famine are creating the perfect storm in the country.
Pillar of food security in Sudan in danger?
Documents recently obtained by Sudan Leaks confirm that the military leadership of Sudan has signed long-term contracts granting Egyptian companies rights to use land in the country and under terms described as “unfair and humiliating”.
It is important to emphasize here that the lands part of the aforementioned agreements represent a pillar of food security in Sudan. Rich in fertile soil, these areas used to be a major focus of strategic agricultural-related plans before the internal conflict began.
Circulating information suggest the deal includes logistical and military facilities to be ensured for the Sudanese army, including the supply of ammunition, maintenance of military equipment processes related to intelligence support through Egyptian channels.
Is this a case of “a homeland for sale”?
The more concerning matter here is that the apparent exchange of the fertile lands of Sudan in exchange for direct military support do not carry any legal or national justification. The press has been kept in check, preventing any debate about these concessions.
Initial reactions to these leaked documents signal rage. Sudanese political and human rights campaigners are expressing their condemnation of the agreements, arguing that the army is no longer operating as a guardian of the land and people.
Ultimately, it appears that this is a case of “a homeland for sale”. Sudan is currently facing one of the largest humanitarian and displacement crises. The need for diplomacy is getting more and more pronounced each passing day.
