UK conference on Sudan fails to set up contact group for ceasefire talks

Summary

A British-led effort to establish a contact group for ceasefire talks in Sudan failed after Arab nations refused to sign a joint communique. The conflict has exacerbated violence and displacement in Sudan, with civilian casualties rising and aid infrastructure being targeted. The UK Foreign Secretary highlighted the need for diplomacy but faced little progress despite excluding Sudan from mediation. International calls for accountability against external arms shipments grew amid growing violence, raising concerns about potential partition.

Additional Summaries

A British-led attempt to establish a contact group to facilitate ceasefire talks in Sudan fell apart on Tuesday when Arab states refused to sign a joint communique after a conference in London. And as I speak, civilians and aid workers in El Fasher and Zamzam IDP camp are facing unimaginable violence. The conference’s objectives are set modestly at seeking agreement on an African Union-led international contact group, and renewed commitments to end restrictions on aid. Lammy also announced an extra £120m in humanitarian aid from the depleted UK Foreign Office aid budget, enough to help deliver food to 650,000 people. The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, released a further €125m (£105m) for Sudan and neighbouring states.

A British-led attempt to form a contact group to negotiate a ceasefire in Sudan failed on Tuesday after Arab states refused to sign a joint communique. The leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, declared a rival government, further complicating efforts for peace. Despite international pressure and additional humanitarian aid from the UK and Germany, neither side in Sudan appears interested in negotiations. Fears of partition based on current areas of control are growing, and aid groups call for stronger action to prevent another genocide.