Trust is hard to find among the traumatised population that is wary of outsiders, even those trying desperately to contain the rapidly spreading outbreak that experts say was discovered weeks late. Surveillance for such diseases has been weakened by US and other aid cuts.

Human Rights Watch said it verified videos showing mercenaries, apparently Colombian, fighting alongside the RSF when it captured the Darfur city of el-Fasher in October in an offensive the UN-commissioned experts said bore “the hallmarks of genocide.” At least 6,000 people were killed in three days, according to the UN.

On a recent EU decision to impose sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities involved in Iran's actions and policies regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei warned that any hostile action would definitely trigger Tehran's response.