The UK has taken a leading role in international efforts to quickly end the devastating conflict in Sudan, convening a meeting of global officials to announce new humanitarian aid pledges as the war, which has claimed thousands of lives, enters its third year.
The conflict ignited on April 15, 2023, stemming from a bitter power struggle between rival generals who lead Sudan’s regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – neither of whom attended the conference.
Over 13 million people have been displaced, and tens of thousands have lost their lives, with both factions facing allegations of committing serious human rights violations.
The situation has resulted in what the United Nations has termed the world’s most severe hunger and displacement crises.
“We must urge the warring parties to ensure the protection of civilians, allow humanitarian aid to enter and move freely throughout the nation, and prioritize peace,” he stated, emphasizing the need for “patient diplomacy.”
Attempts at peace have thus far failed to yield a ceasefire.
Bankole Adeoye (L) and Britain’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy (R), participated in the London Sudan conference.
The ongoing hostilities have raised concerns that tensions could extend beyond Sudan’s borders, potentially causing greater instability in the impoverished Horn of Africa region.
“A military solution is unattainable in Sudan; only an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities can facilitate progress,” said Bankole Adeoye, the African Union’s commissioner for political affairs.
“We believe this must be followed by comprehensive dialogue to bring an end to the conflict.”
In terms of gender-based violence and famine
The war has “devastated the lives of millions of children across Sudan,” remarked Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF, which reported that 2,776 children have been killed or injured in 2023 and 2024 alone.
A UN-backed assessment indicated that famine is now affecting certain regions of the country.
According to the British foreign ministry, over 30 million individuals are in urgent need of assistance, with 12 million women and girls at risk of gender-based violence.
Mr. Lammy announced a new aid package of £120 million (€140 million) for Sudan, while the EU committed over €522 million ($591 million) to support the crisis, and Germany pledged approximately €125 million.
France also declared an additional €50 million in humanitarian aid for this year.
“How can we ignore the world’s largest humanitarian crisis?” asked German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Since the conflict started, tens of thousands have been displaced.
During her visit to a refugee camp, she recounted hearing “terrifying accounts of women and children facing sexual violence” and described the alarming situation of starvation.
Germany and France, alongside the European Union and the 55-member African Union, are co-hosting the conference with the British government in London.
Ministers from about 14 other nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United States, attended, along with senior representatives from organizations such as the United Nations, as noted by the Foreign Office.
Damage surrounds Al-Shaab Teaching Hospital following intense confrontations between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, Sudan.
‘No military solution’
Sudan’s government has voiced its objections regarding its exclusion from the conference, leading to a sharp response from Khartoum.
However, the German foreign ministry indicated that both the Sudanese army and the RSF militia were reluctant to engage in discussions.
Sudan has accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying arms to the paramilitary forces, a claim that both the fighters and the Gulf state deny.
In a statement, the UAE called for “an urgent peace” and criticized both factions for “committing atrocities.” They announced that a senior foreign ministry official would represent them at the London conference.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized that “Sudan’s unity must be preserved” and that there can be no unilateral governance imposed upon its citizens.
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The conflict pits the regular army of Sudan’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
The situation escalated when the relationship between Mr. Burhan and Mr. Daglo soured following a 2021 coup that removed the transitional government established after the 2019 ousting of long-time leader Omar al-Bashir.
The RSF has its roots in Darfur and maintains control over significant portions of its territory, as well as parts of southern Sudan.
Last month, the army regained control of the capital Khartoum and has significant influence in the east and north, leaving Africa’s third-largest country effectively divided.
