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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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

HERE is a speech by UK's Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan held 13 March 2025.

Note, fighting in Sudan has displaced approximately 12.8 million people, roughly 3.7 million of whom have sought refuge in Sudan’s neighbouring countries—the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda. Read more in report from What's in Blue below.

In April, the UK’s Foreign Secretary will convene Foreign Ministers in London to help end the conflict and to improve the humanitarian response.

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From Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 

and Lord Collins of Highbury

Published: Thursday 13 March 2025
Speech location: United Nations, New York
Delivered on 13 March 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) - full copy:

Greater international action is needed to tackle widespread sexual violence in Sudan: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

Thank you to our briefers UNICEF and MSF. 

As you have made clear, women and girls in Sudan continue to face the worst horrors of this conflict.

Almost two years since the fighting began, more than 12 million people are now at risk of sexual and gender-based violence, according to UNICEF reports. 

And Sudan’s healthcare system has been decimated by the conflict, making it even harder for survivors to access support.

The UK’s Foreign Secretary travelled to the Sudan-Chad border in January and met survivors of sexual violence who shared their harrowing stories of rape and torture.

And the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has reported that rape and gang rape is widespread in the context of the conflict in Sudan.

Acts of sexual violence constitute crimes under international law. 

And it is the responsibility of this Council to act.

President, it is clear that greater international action is needed to tackle widespread sexual violence in Sudan. The United Kingdom is committed to playing its part.

This week I joined a meeting of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, convened by Ukraine, to discuss the urgent need for joined-up, survivor-centred responses.

Through the UK-funded Women’s Integrated Sexual Health programme, we are providing sexual and reproductive services to women and children in Sudan.

We are also working with UN and NGO partners to provide safe spaces, mobile clinic treatment, dignity kits and psycho-social services for survivors.

But to have most impact, it is important that the international community comes together to address sexual violence in Sudan by taking 4 key steps.

First, by continuing to press the warring parties to comply with the commitments they made to protect civilians in the Jeddah Declaration.

Second, by giving support to civil society organisations on the ground who are playing a crucial role in assisting survivors of sexual violence.

Third, by supporting the International Criminal Court and the UN Fact-Finding Mission to carry out impartial investigations.

And fourth, by ensuring that the protection of civilians remains at the top of this Council’s agenda.

President, looking ahead, in April, the UK’s Foreign Secretary will convene Foreign Ministers in London to help end the conflict and to improve the humanitarian response.

Bringing an end to the conflict will be a critical step towards ending sexual and gender-based violence in Sudan.

Colleagues, we must continue working together closely until we achieve that goal.

View original: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/greater-international-action-is-needed-to-tackle-widespread-sexual-violence-in-sudan-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council

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Related

Report from What's In Blue 

Dated Wednesday 12 March 2025

Sudan: Briefing

Nearly two years into the war, which started on 15 April 2023, Sudan has witnessed a devastating humanitarian crisis, resulting in significant civilian casualties, mass displacement, and acute food and water shortages. 

The crisis has also been marked by a collapse of healthcare and essential services and grave violations of international humanitarian law, including widespread incidents of CRSV.

The fighting has displaced approximately 12.8 million people, roughly 3.7 million of whom have sought refuge in Sudan’s neighbouring countries—the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda.

Full story: https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2025/03/sudan-briefing-5.php

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

"During a meeting with Christian Turner, director-general for political affairs at the UK Foreign Ministry, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Yusuf provided an explanation of the developments in Sudan and the measures taken by the government to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need." Read full story.

From Middle East Monitor online

Dated Sunday, 16 February 2025 at 12:29 pm - full copy:

Sudan calls on UK to engage as ‘friends’ instead of confrontation

Photo: Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf speaks during an exclusive interview in Port Sudan, Sudan on December 24, 2024. [Osman Bakır – Anadolu Agency] 

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf called on the UK to engage with his country ‘as friends’ rather than through confrontation at international forums, state news agency SUNA reported, according to Anadolu.

During a meeting with Christian Turner, director-general for political affairs at the UK Foreign Ministry, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Yusuf provided an explanation of the developments in Sudan and the measures taken by the government to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

He urged that Sudan and the UK should engage “as friends rather than confront each other at international forums, as this has proven to be ineffective.”

“Any initiatives or activities related to Sudan should be carried out in consultation with the government and with its approval, otherwise, they will not have any real impact,” he added.

The ongoing civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, in which tens of thousands have been killed and many more displaced, broke out in April 2023.

In November 2024, the government welcomed Russia’s veto at the UN Security Council against a British draft resolution that called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and ensuring the safe passage of civilains.

READ: Sudan’s Burhan says ‘no negotiation, compromise’ with paramilitary RSF

View original: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250216-sudan-calls-on-uk-to-engage-as-friends-instead-of-confrontation/

Hat tip: Cameron Hudson @_hudsonc

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