UK's non-stop support to Sudan over past 22+ years

PEOPLE who criticise the United Kingdom's non-stop support to Sudan over the past 22+ years do not know what they are talking about. Sudan is a former British protectorate. Historic ties between Britain and Sudan stretch back more than a century. The UK has never stopped caring about Sudan.

Below is a must-see UN video followed by reports from the hundreds in Sudan Watch's archive relating to the UK's support to Sudan since 2003. 

Note that the UK is a 'Penholder' at the United Nations (UN). This includes (but is not limited to) Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The US is the penholder on Sudan sanctions and South Sudan. 

According to a report by the UN Security Council: 

"With few exceptions, Council outcomes on specific conflict-related situations are drafted by one of the P3 (France, the UK and the US) as the self-appointed penholders.

Permanent members China and Russia have in recent years occasionally served as co-penholders with the US on non-proliferation issues in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Golan Heights, respectively. Elected members have served as penholders on Afghanistan, Guinea-Bissau and some thematic issues (see Annex for details)."

France is one of the founding members of the UN and plays a key role in many issues. Since 1945, it has been a member of the Security Council where it sits as a permanent member alongside the United Kingdom, the United States, China and Russia.

Sudan: Vote on a Draft Resolution to Protect Civilians

WATCH VIDEO: 14 in favour, 1 against (Russia), 0 abstentions

Chaired by the UK's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs The Rt Hon David Lammy MP. A powerful speech by Mr Lammy is on the video, after the vote, followed by statements given by the representative for each country, including Russia and Sudan.

Live broadcast courtesy of UN Media 18 Nov 2024 2:30PM GMT UK

Click “Settings” cog for sub-titles in English, Russian, Spanish, Interlingua, Chinese, Arabic, French.

Related reports: Sudan Watch - 18 Nov 2024

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Sudan Watch - 23 Aug 2004

British Government behind African troops - Britain stands ready to provide further assistance if necessary

Sudan is a former British protectorate. Britain is the world's largest cash donor, and the second-largest contributor of aid, to Sudan. 

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2004/08/british-government-behind-african.html

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Sudan Watch - 06 Oct 2004

Blair arrives in Khartoum to press for Darfur peace - Blair outlines demands to Sudan

British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew in to Khartoum earlier today. He is the most senior Western government official to visit Sudan since the Darfur conflict erupted.

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2004/10/blair-arrives-in-khartoum-to-press-for.html

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Sudan Watch - 21 Feb 2006

Benn: UK to provide 20 million pounds for African Union mission in Sudan

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2006/02/benn-uk-to-provide-20-million-pounds.html

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Video report by Associated Press - 29 March 2017

UK minister in Sudan to discuss cooperation

(29 Mar 2017) Britain and Sudan agreed on Wednesday to strengthen their cooperation in the fight against "violent extremism". The commitment followed a meeting between delegations from the two countries in Khartoum. Director for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Neil Wigan led the British delegation, while Sudan's Undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry Abdul Ghani al-Naeem the Sudanese. The issues of human trafficking, illegal immigration were also on the agenda. The last strategic dialogue between the two countries took place in London last October.

View original at YouTube: https://youtu.be/b6o275gk8FQ

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UK Ministry of Defence - 02 May 2017

UK troops deploy to South Sudan to support peacekeeping mission

The latest deployment of British troops has arrived in South Sudan to continue support to the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping mission.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-troops-deploy-to-south-sudan-to-support-peacekeeping-mission

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Sudan Watch - 29 Mar 2024

UK doubles its aid to Sudan to £89m as crisis escalates

UK CHANNEL 4 NEWS VIDEO FROM CHAD-SUDAN

Click on “Settings” cog /auto-translate/ options for 

sub-titles in preferred language.

Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2024/03/uk-channel-4-news-video-from-chad-sudan.html

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Sudan Watch - 21 Nov 2024

Sudan: Furious row at UN as Russia blocks resolution to protect civilians. SAF chief praises Russia UN veto

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2024/11/sudan-furious-row-at-un-as-russia.html

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Sudan Watch - 25 Jan 2025

US freezes nearly all foreign assistance worldwide. UK announces £20m in additional funding to Sudan

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2025/01/us-freezes-nearly-all-foreign.html

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Sudan Watch - 19 Feb 2025

Sudan calls on the UK to engage ‘as friends’ rather than through confrontation at international forums

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2025/02/sudan-calls-on-uk-to-engage-as-friends.html

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Sudan Watch - 13 Mar 2025

UK statement at UNSC: In April, UK's Foreign Secretary will convene FM's in London to help end Sudan conflict and improve humanitarian response

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2025/03/uk-statement-at-unsc-in-april-uks.html

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Postscript

Sudan Watch - 08 Jan 2025

Sudan is the Origin of Humanity, Says Oxford Study

According to the two articles copied here below, everybody alive today came from one African country, Sudan. Note that an excerpt from World History says: "Kush was a kingdom in northern Africa in the region corresponding to modern-day Sudan. The larger region around Kush (later referred to as Nubia) was inhabited c. 8,000 BCE but The Kingdom of Kush rose much later."

Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2025/01/sudan-is-origin-of-humanity-says-oxford.html

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The 50th anniversary plaque of the first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly

Click for larger image here: Wikipedia

"To the glory of God and in prayer for peace on earth / This tablet commemorates the first meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations in the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, Jan 10 - Feb 14 1946"  [Hat tip: Dr Antony Stokes LVO OBE]

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End

UK doubles its aid to Sudan over deepening concern of famine worse than the one in Ethiopia 40 years ago

HERE is an insightful comment posted by sami @sami75807477 at the following post on X/Twitter by Patrick Heinisch @PatrickHeinisc1.

What makes it surprise is when we African in need whites r there for us and when we r in deed in a good shape starting blame them for looting our resources. Above all, we Africans r so desperate to reach in to whites land but soon they welcome us we r again cursing. What a ppl!

— sami (@sami75807477) November 17, 2024

Hat tip: Eric Reeves @sudanreeves.

HISTORIC NEWS: African Union suspends Sudan

GOOD news. African-led solutions to African problems. The African Union Peace and Security Council met on Thursday 6 June 2019 to discuss Sudan and decided to suspend Sudan with immediate effect.

Here is a copy of a tweet posted at the Council's Twitter page on 6 June 2019:

The #AU Peace and Security Council has with immediate effect suspended the participation of the Republic of #Sudan in all #AU activities until the effective establishment of a Civilian-led Transitional Authority, as the only way to allow the Sudan to exit from the current crisis pic.twitter.com/ioBlnfnxcl

— African Union Peace (@AU_PSD) 6 June 2019

To view the mostly positive comments at the tweet click here:

https://twitter.com/AU_PSD/status/1136596052088373248

Note from Sudan Watch Ed: The above photo, published at AUPD website could be from the meeting. Note the IGAD Chair, and a woman sitting in the chair for Sudan. Here is the full text of the communique:

The 854th meeting of the Peace and Security Council on the situation in The Sudan Thursday 06 June 2019

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its 854th meeting held on 6 June 2019, on the situation in The Sudan,

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCXL)], [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCXLVI)] and [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCXLII)] adopted at its 840th, 846th and 852nd meetings held, respectively, on 15 April 2019, 30 April 2019 and 27 May 2019 on the situation in the Republic of Sudan recalling specifically the provisions of paragraph 5 of the communique of its 846th meeting, in which Council decided to extend the deadline for an additional period of up to sixty (60) days for the military authorities in Sudan to hand over power to a civilian-led Transitional Authority, and paragraph 7 of the same communique that requested the Chairperson of the Commission to report to Council every three weeks and necessary, on the progress made, to enabling Council to assess the situation on the ground in Sudan, bearing in mind that Council shall, at any time deemed appropriate, in view of the prevailing circumstances in the country, take the necessary measures, including imposing of sanctions, in line with article 7(g) of its Protocol;

Noting the statement by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the African Union, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Brima Patrick Kapuwa, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC for the month of June 2019, as well as the briefings  made by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, and Ambassador Smail Chergui, Commissioner for Peace and Security, pursuant to paragraph 7 of the communiqué of its 846th meeting; also noting the statements made by the Representatives of Sudan and Ethiopia, in its capacity as Chair of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD);

Reaffirming the solidarity of the African Union with the Sudanese in their aspirations to constitutional order that will enable them to make progress in its efforts towards the democratic transformation of the country.

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Expresses its deep concern over the lack of progress, since its initial meeting following the Coup d’Etat of 11 April 2019 in Sudan, towards the establishment of a civilian-led Transitional Authority as demanded by Council;

2. Deplores the loss of innocent lives which took place in recent days in Sudan and expresses its condolences to the families of the deceased; Further wishes a speedy recovery to the injured persons;

3. Strongly condemns the violence that led to the loss of lives and injuries among civilians; Requests the Chairperson of the Commission, in close coordination with the relevant stakeholders in Sudan, IGAD and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), within the framework of relevant AU instruments relating to the fight against impunity, to make concrete proposals on the modalities for an investigation into the deadly events which took place from 3 June 2019 in Sudan, and report to Council;

4. Reaffirms the imperative for the military and security forces to ensure the full protection of civilians and respect for human rights and freedoms in Sudan;

5. Strongly condemns and totally rejects any unilateral actions by whomsoever in the process of resolving the current crisis; In this regard, rejects the unilateral actions taken by the Transitional Military Council, notably the suspension of dialogue with other Sudanese stakeholders; In this context, demands that the Transitional Military Council and all other concerned Sudanese stakeholders abide by previously reached agreements on the setting up of a civilian-led Transitional Authority; 

6. Underlines, once more, the primacy of African-led initiatives in the search for a lasting solution to the crisis in Sudan; Reiterates its call to all partners to support AU and IGAD efforts and refrain from any action that could undermine African-led initiatives;

7. Underscores, once more, the fact that the Sudanese stakeholders are the sole authors of their destiny at this critical juncture in the history of their Country; In this context, stresses that there should be no external interference by whomsoever in the process of resolving the current crisis;

8. Demands that all concerned in Sudan exert maximum restraint and refrain from any move that could ignite the already highly volatile situation in Sudan and to give primacy to the supreme interest of the people of Sudan;

9. Further demands the immediate resumption of negotiations, without pre-conditions, between all Sudanese stakeholders towards the establishment of a civilian-led Transitional Authority, in full compliance with the decisions of this Council;

10. Stresses the imperative, within the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture and the African Governance Architecture, for the IGAD, based on the principle of subsidiarity and comparative advantage, to scale up its engagement in the resolution of resolution of the Sudanese crisis; Further emphasizes the need for IGAD to mobilize and convene all the Sudanese stakeholders to dialogue, with a view to speedily establish a civilian-led Transitional Authority in Sudan;

11. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to immediately take the necessary measures to further strengthen the AU Facilitation Team in Sudan and to liaise closely with the IGAD to enhance synergy and coherence in bringing together the Sudanese stakeholders back to dialogue, in order to put in place a civilian-led Transitional Authority;

12. Decides, in line with the relevant AU instruments, in particular the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to suspend, with immediate effect, the participation of the Republic of Sudan in all AU activities until the effective establishment of a civilian-led Transitional Authority, as the only way to allow the Sudan to exit from its current crisis;

13. Further decides that, should the Transition Military Council fail to hand-over power to a civilian-led Transitional Authority, Council shall, without any further delay, automatically impose punitive measures on individuals and entities obstructing the establishment of the civilian-led Transitional Authority;

14. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

SOURCE

http://www.peaceau.org/en/article/the-854th-meeting-of-the-peace-and-security-council-on-the-situation-in-the-sudan

WFP, UNAMID initiative to deliver food in Darfur - Sudanese Gov't authorises UN led team to enter Kalma IDP camp

A UN-led humanitarian assessment team has received authorisation from the Sudanese Government to enter Kalma Camp, Nyala, South Darfur, W. Sudan.

WFP and UNAMID representatives met this morning in El Fasher, North Darfur, to finalise plans for the Mission to provide security escorts during the rainy season for WFP trucks transporting food to impoverished beneficiaries throughout Darfur.

Report from United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief - Wednesday, 04 August 2010
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan/via APO Wednesday, 04 August 2010:

Security situation update
UNAMID continues to conduct regular patrols in Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in South Darfur.

While increased patrolling by UNAMID military and police has resulted in an improvement in the security situation, as of 1 August, no organizations have been allowed to deliver humanitarian aid.

WFP, UNAMID initiative to deliver food in Darfur
WFP and UNAMID representatives met this morning in El Fasher, North Darfur, to finalize plans for the Mission to provide security escorts during the rainy season for WFP trucks transporting food to impoverished beneficiaries throughout Darfur.

The WFP representatives voiced appreciation for the Mission’s continued support, which will also include helping to expedite the agency’s inter-state movements and escorting overnight WFP missions.

UNAMID patrols
UNAMID military forces conducted 88 patrols including routine, short-range, long-range, night and humanitarian escort patrols covering 76 villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID police advisors conducted 147 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

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A UN-led humanitarian assessment team has received authorisation from the Sudanese Government to enter Kalma Camp, Nyala, South Darfur, W. Sudan

Report from UN News Centre - Tuesday, 03 August 2010 :
Efforts to ease tensions at Darfur camp continue, UN-African Union mission reports

03 August 2010 – A senior official with the joint United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur is again visiting a camp for displaced persons in a bid to ease recent tensions there following deadly violence between supporters and opponents of the ongoing peace process.

It is the third visit in as many days to the massive Kalma camp in Nyala, South Darfur, for Mohammed Yonis, the Deputy Joint Special Representative at the mission, known as UNAMID.

Tensions in Kalma rose last week after the conclusion of the latest round of peace talks in Doha, Qatar, with some groups contending they were unrepresented. The camp was the scene of violent protests on Thursday in which hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) demonstrated. Tensions in Kalma rose last week after the conclusion of the latest round of peace talks in Doha, Qatar, with some groups contending they were unrepresented.

UNAMID said that a reconciliation committee has been mediating a peaceful settlement between the opposing sides.

Discussions are also continuing concerning six local leaders – five men and one woman – who sought protection at the mission’s community policing centre (CPC) outside the camp following last week’s protests.

Government officials in South Darfur state have demanded that the mission hand them over.

Christopher Cycmanick, a spokesperson for UNAMID, described the situation as “complicated” and said that the mission is continuing discussions to ensure that it handles the matter properly.

“We want to make sure that everything is fine if they are released to the Government,” he said in an interview with UN Radio.

“But technically, it’s a very fine line that we are walking because they have gone to ask for assistance or help and they have already been at the CPC for more than 48 hours,” he stated.

“Also, we are working in a sovereign country. We will at some point have to honour their request. We just want to make sure that things are handled properly.”

Meanwhile, the mission noted that a UN-led humanitarian assessment team has received authorization from the Sudanese Government to enter the Kalma camp, which is home to more than 100,000 IDPs.

Darfurian refugees in a camp near the northeastern Central African Republic town of Sam Ouandja

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Report from Radio Miraya FM - Tuesday, 03 August 2010 11:10:
4 UNAMID peacekeepers die in car crash in Nyala

The United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said that four of its peacekeepers have died in a car accident in Nyala town, South Darfur State on Sunday. Speaking to Radio Miraya, the UNAMID Spokesman, Chris Charles, said that the accident occurred when the Sierra Leonean peacekeepers' vehicle which was on its way from the airport to Nyala town collided.

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Report from UN News Centre - Monday, 02 August 2010:
Ban saddened by deaths of Darfur peacekeepers in road accident

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he was saddened by the deaths of four Sierra Leonean peacekeepers serving in the joint United Nations-African Union mission in the Sudanese region of Darfur (UNAMID) who died in a road accident.

The accident happened yesterday in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state.

Mr. Ban conveyed his condolences to the Sierra Leonean Government and to the families of the four soldiers, and hoped for the full recovery of two other military personnel who were injured in the accident.

“The Secretary-General would like to take this opportunity to commend all of the men and women serving in UNAMID in military, police and civilian capacities, for their efforts to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance and bring peace to Darfur,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said.

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AGI: Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative

From The Office of Tony Blair
November 05, 2009
Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative to create development through good governance becomes charity

The Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative has become a registered UK charity after creating a unique 'hands-on' approach to development and poverty eradication over the past eighteen months.

The Charity Commission approved the application from this relatively new organisation, which is underpinned by the belief that good governance and sustainable development are key to poverty eradication in the long term.

Tony Blair, founder of the Africa Governance Initiative (AGI), said:

"I'm extremely proud of our excellent project teams who are working in partnership with the governments of Rwanda and Sierra Leone to reduce poverty and develop new opportunities for growth.

"It is a privilege to work with leaders as talented and as committed to their people as President Koroma and President Kagame who represent a new generation of leaders in Africa with a commitment to building a new future for their people.

"The developed world needs to keep up its commitment to Africa expressed at the 2005 G8 Summit in Gleneagles. But lasting change in Africa will only come in the end from African solutions. By building the capacity to create sustainable long-term development through good governance and providing high level advice, we have already started to help deliver that change.

"And it won't stop here. Whilst developing our work in Sierra Leone and Rwanda, we want to launch new projects with other countries, sharing our knowledge, experience and expertise. We want more countries to develop sustainably, paving the way to a prosperous future.

"This work has reinforced my optimism about Africa's future, as well as my conviction that governance and growth are the key ingredients to effectively reduce poverty across the continent."

Commenting on Tony Blair and the work of the Africa Governance Initiative, Ernest Koroma, President of Sierra Leone, said:

"Mr. Blair has demonstrated an enduring commitment to Sierra Leone and its people. The work comes at a critical stage in Sierra Leone's development. I believe together we have an opportunity to ensure that Sierra Leone puts in place the policies, people and institutions to achieve real and lasting change."

Commenting on the work of AGI, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda said:

"What I would like people to know is that the type of partnership we have with Tony Blair is totally different from the type of consultancy people are used to. We work in very strong partnerships whereby not only gaps are filled where they exist, but there's also the notion of transfer of skills, mentoring, actually doing things that are measurable such that over a period of time, we will be able to know what kind of impact was made."

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