The United Kingdom, in collaboration with the African Union, European Union, France, and Germany, hosted a high-level international conference in London on Tuesday to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, marking two years since the outbreak of the conflict.
Foreign ministers, international partners, and humanitarian leaders gathered for the one-day event to discuss strategies for ending the war and overcoming the obstacles hindering humanitarian aid delivery to millions of people in need across Sudan.
The Sudanese government, however, criticized the UK’s decision to organize the conference without extending an invitation to Sudanese authorities. The Foreign Ministry described the exclusion as “proof of Britain’s leniency toward the militia,” referring to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one of the main parties in the conflict.
Despite the controversy, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced a new humanitarian aid package worth £120 million (approximately $158 million), aimed at supporting over 650,000 Sudanese civilians affected by the war. He emphasized the urgent need for international action, saying, “We must act now to prevent this crisis from spiraling into a full-blown catastrophe and ensure that lifesaving assistance reaches those most in need.”
The African Union reiterated its commitment to supporting Sudanese civilians. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, stated, “The African Union is determined to help the people of Sudan achieve a peaceful, democratic future by working to silence the guns.”
Sudan’s civil war began on April 15, 2023, when a power struggle erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF. The fighting has resulted in over 20,000 deaths and the displacement of more than 15 million people, according to UN and local estimates. While recent weeks have seen RSF forces lose ground to the military, the humanitarian situation remains dire.
The London conference sought to align international efforts around both emergency relief and long-term political solutions to restore peace and stability in Sudan.