The UK led an international call today on Tuesday to urgently end the war in Sudan, and London hosted a high-level conference two years after the conflict began. The UK has pledged an additional £120 million (€137 million) in humanitarian aid, warning that Sudan is currently facing the worst humanitarian crisis on record.
The announcement comes amid growing concern over the escalating violence and worsening circumstances of millions of people caught up in crossfire.
The European Union and member states have also pledged more than 522 million euros to deal with the crisis.
The UK is behind £113 million – €130 million for 600,000 people, with the aid package announced last November.
The UK government said Tuesday’s meeting in London was an opportunity to improve consistency in the international response to the crisis rather than directly mediating conflicts, but Sudanese authorities have criticized the fact that the government has not been invited to talks.
“We cannot look away,” the British Foreign Minister said he began meetings among counterparts from around 15 countries, denounced what he called “the lack of political will” to end the fight.
NGOS calls on Europe to act to bring the Sudanese War into its second year
The war broke out on April 15, 2023 in a fierce power struggle between rival generals leading Sudan’s regular forces and paramilitary rapid support forces (RSF).
Over 13 million people have been killed, tens of thousands of people have been uprooted, and both sides have been accused of committing atrocities.
Ramie said the war has been going on for too long, but “but much of the world continues to look away.”
He added: “We must now act to prevent the crisis from becoming a full-scale disaster and ensure that aid reaches those in need of most,” he also said that the fighting parties had shown “a appalling neglect” to Sudan’s civilians.
The UK co-hosted the London Conference with France and Germany, the European Union and the African Union. However, there were no Sudanese officials while Egypt, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were among the participants.
This led the Sudanian Foreign Minister to write letters to complain, saying that Sudan’s leaders should be invited, saying they were criticising the existence of the United Arab Emirates and Kenya.
“Being surrounded on all sides.”
UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said Sudan faced “indifference from the outside world.”
“The Sudanese are surrounded by all sides — war, widespread abuse, insults, hunger and other difficulties,” he said.
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On the eve of the anniversary of the start of the war, UN Prime Minister Antonio Guterres said civilians “bear the brunt of the war.”
The exact number of deaths is unknown due to the collapse of the healthcare system, but former US envoy Tom Periloiro cited estimates of up to 150,000 deaths.
Both sides have been accused of targeting civilians, firing homes and blocking aid. And about 25 million people face acute food anxiety, and eight million people are on the verge of hunger.
Sudanese RSF pushed out of Khartoum says the war is not over
“Achieving peace in Sudan depends on evaluating all voices and all who play a role in building a prosperous Sudan,” said Bankhall Adeye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
(with newswire)
