UK Hosts Global Conference Calling for Swift End to Sudan Conflict
The United Kingdom has spearheaded international appeals for an immediate end to the devastating war in Sudan, hosting top global diplomats to discuss new humanitarian aid commitments as the crisis enters its third year.
The conflict, erupting on April 15, 2023, arises from a power struggle between Sudan’s regular army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Neither leader attended today’s international gathering.
Thus far, the war has taken tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 13 million individuals, with atrocities reportedly committed by both warring factions.
The United Nations describes it as “the world’s worst hunger and displacement crises,” as violence escalates and effective peace efforts remain elusive.
“There Can Be No Military Solution”
Opening the London conference, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that diplomacy and international cooperation must prevail:
“We have got to persuade the warring parties to protect civilians, to allow humanitarian aid to reach the people, and to put peace first. This will require patient diplomacy.”
Bankole Adeoye, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, reiterated this sentiment, stating clearly:
“There can be no military solution in Sudan—only an immediate, unconditional cessation of hostilities, followed by an inclusive dialogue to end the war.”
This sentiment underscores a unified global urgency for peace. Fears remain that instability from Sudan could spill into neighboring countries, heightening regional insecurity in the already vulnerable Horn of Africa.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Conflict
The suffering caused by the war is immense, with widespread famine and violence worsening daily life. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, highlighted the toll on vulnerable children:
“This conflict has shattered the lives of millions of children across Sudan—UNICEF estimates that 2,776 children have been killed or seriously injured in 2023 and 2024 alone.”
An assessment backed by the UN confirms famine conditions now exist in parts of Sudan. Britain’s Foreign Ministry reports that over 30 million Sudanese desperately require assistance, including around 12 million women and girls who face heightened risks of gender-based violence.
Renewed International Aid Commitments
Reflecting on the humanitarian necessity, David Lammy announced a new £120 million (€140 million) pledge of aid from the UK. European partners further enhanced efforts, with the EU committing over €522 million ($591 million), Germany pledging around €125 million, and France providing an additional €50 million.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed the international community’s moral obligation clearly:
“How can we forget the world’s largest humanitarian crisis?” She added that, during a recent visit to a refugee camp, she heard “horrific reports of women and children being raped,” alongside widespread, deadly hunger.
Fresh Appeals and International Unity
This London conference was jointly hosted by the governments of Britain, Germany, France, the European Union and the African Union. Officials from 14 additional countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joined, alongside senior United Nations delegates.
Despite Khartoum expressing disappointment over not being invited, organizers clarified that neither the Sudanese military nor the RSF were willing to come to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, mutual accusations of external interference persist, with allegations that the UAE provided arms to the RSF—charges the UAE firmly denies, calling instead for immediate peace.
French representative Jean-Noël Barrot highlighted the broader diplomatic importance:
“The unity of Sudan must be preserved. A unilateral or imposed government is simply not acceptable.”
A Nation Divided: The Current Situation
The ongoing fighting and deep-rooted divisions have effectively partitioned Sudan. The Sudanese army recently regained control of the capital Khartoum and dominates the northern and eastern regions. In contrast, RSF forces, originally from Darfur, hold significant territories in Darfur and parts of the country’s south.
The conflict began at an impasse following a 2021 coup, which saw Burhan, Sudan’s de facto leader, and Daglo turn against each other after they ousted the post-2019 transitional government set up in the wake of Omar al-Bashir’s removal.
With Sudan deeply split, the international community faces the urgent task of bridging divides and fostering diplomatic pathways toward sustainable peace.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
