STORY
The UK has called for an immediate humanitarian truce in Sudan followed by a permanent ceasefire and an inclusive civilian led political process, warning that the conflict has created what it described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Britain told the UN Security Council that 33 million people now require humanitarian assistance, while civilians continue to face attacks, torture, arbitrary detention, sexual violence and the loss of essential services.
UK Permanent Representative to the UN Dame Sarah MacIntosh said responsibility for ending the conflict ultimately rested with Sudan’s military leaders, fighters and those financing and supplying the war. She said Britain supported efforts by the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to broker a humanitarian truce, alongside wider international attempts to establish an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue. The UK also called for restrictions on the flow of weapons, stronger sanctions and greater pressure on those responsible for attacks on civilians.
The Government said Britain was providing $200 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan this year, intended to reach more than 1.8 million people with food, healthcare, clean water, nutrition and protection services. MacIntosh also called on all parties to allow rapid and unrestricted humanitarian access, saying families were starving and aid workers remained under attack. She said the UK would continue supporting mediation efforts, sanctions against those responsible for atrocities and work to gather evidence for potential accountability through international bodies including the International Criminal Court.