{"id":20115868,"date":"2025-04-14T16:02:52","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T14:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20115868"},"modified":"2026-02-19T16:19:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T15:19:29","slug":"uk-minister-discusses-intl-efforts-for-sudan-ahead-of-key-london-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/uk-minister-discusses-intl-efforts-for-sudan-ahead-of-key-london-conference","title":{"rendered":"UK Minister discusses int\u2019l efforts for Sudan ahead of key London conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Report by\u00a0Amgad Abdelgadir<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

The UK Minister for International Development, Baroness Chapman, has outlined the British government\u2019s approach to supporting Sudan\u2019s most vulnerable, including displaced people and refugees, in an exclusive interview with Radio Dabanga today. Speaking to Amgad Abdelgadir of Radio Dabanga (scroll down for video<\/a>), Baroness Chapman notes that the upcoming London conference, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the war, reflects the UK\u2019s ongoing commitment to addressing the crisis.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapman highlights the pivotal role of the UK\u2019s Foreign Secretary David Lammy<\/a>, who was deeply moved by his visit to Adr\u00e9 in eastern Chad, bordering Sudan, earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDavid Lammy was so affected by what he saw and the people he spoke to. He personally felt that the UK could do more. That\u2019s why we\u2019re bringing people together here in London, alongside the African Union<\/a> and other partners, to discuss how we can work as an international community to move things towards the peace we desperately need,\u201d Baroness Chapman said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minister acknowledges the critical need for financial support, confirming that the UK is prepared to commit more funds to the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Baroness Chapman, UK Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Photo: gov.uk)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

She also emphasises the importance of diplomatic leadership in fostering dialogue. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about money. It\u2019s about using our convening power to bring people together, creating the space for those essential discussions that can pave the way for lasting peace,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the London conference<\/a> seeks to rally international support for Sudan, it comes against the backdrop of recently announced deepening aid cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK foreign aid has dropped<\/a> to just 0.3 per cent of gross national income, the lowest in 25 years, while freezes in US aid from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have also severely impacted Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding to questions about how the UK will engage in Sudan\u2019s post-conflict recovery, given the absence of Sudanese government<\/a> representatives at the conference, the minister clarifies: \u201cThere is still horrendous conflict on the ground today. People are suffering and dying as a result.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She adds, \u201cThis conference is not about including the parties from Sudan because we believe it would not take us any further at this stage. We\u2019re not prepared to just stand by and wait. The civilians in Sudan are paying the price, and we need to use our diplomatic leverage to help move things forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy meets Sudanese refugees in the border town of Adr\u00e9 in eastern Chad, earlier this year (Photo: gov.uk)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A key concern for Sudanese both within Sudan and in the diaspora is the role of international actors, particularly the United Arab Emirates<\/a>, given its involvement in the region and its ongoing genocide case<\/a> at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response, Baroness Chapman explained the UK\u2019s stance: \u201cWe will talk to anybody who can help in moving towards reconciliation and peace and trying to get the stability that we need. In matters surrounding allegations of genocide,” Chapman says “we leave that to competent courts. We respect the ICJ and should there be a ruling to that effect, we will respect it, and that’s our position in these matters, wherever they arise. If a ruling is made, we will of course respect that. However, we believe it\u2019s essential that we invite the UAE. We’ve said to all other states that have involved themselves in different ways, that it’s the right thing at the moment is for everybody to be respecting the arms embargo and use their influence towards a negotiated outcome, not military force.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a recent report by Radio Dabanga<\/a>, senior UAE official Dr Anwar Gargash dismissed Sudan\u2019s case at the ICJ as a \u2018farcical action\u2019, accusing the de-facto Sudan government of distorting the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
A protester holds a Sudanese flag in front of a banner outside the UAE embassy in London (Photo: Amgad Abdelgadir \/ RD)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Looking ahead to the London conference, in today\u2019s interview, Baroness Chapman outlines the UK\u2019s approach to bringing all parties to the table, stating that achieving peace starts with dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first thing you need to do is get people in the same room, looking each other in the eye and agreeing on what the problem is,\u201d she said. She stresses that the scale of the humanitarian disaster in Sudan is unprecedented, with millions at risk of famine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to recognise that everyone has a role to play in helping resolve this crisis,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapman concludes with a call for unity and action, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in ending the suffering in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis conference is a step towards not only acknowledging the scale of the disaster but also ensuring that we are all working together to find a solution for the people of Sudan,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Framed as a pivotal moment in the international community\u2019s response to the crisis in Sudan, the upcoming London conference is expected to gather delegations from the African Union, United Nations, Western governments, and regional actors, some of whom have been accused of fuelling the conflict on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

British officials say the aim is to build consensus among regional stakeholders, as the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate<\/a>. This effort comes amid a surge in drone attacks<\/a> by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and renewed momentum<\/a> by the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n