Faith Nyasuguta
On the second anniversary of Sudan’s brutal civil war, the United Kingdom is spearheading a high-stakes diplomatic effort aimed at ending the conflict that has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The UK, alongside Germany and France, will co-host a ministerial conference on April 15 at Lancaster House in London, bringing together foreign ministers from nearly 20 countries and global organizations. The goal is to establish an international coalition that can pressure Sudan’s warring factions toward peace.
The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced over 11 million people and left half the population facing severe food shortages. Despite this staggering toll, Sudan’s crisis has remained largely neglected on the global diplomatic stage. This conference is an attempt to change that.
Notably, the warring parties, the SAF and RSF, have not been invited to the London talks. Instead, the focus is on building a united front among external powers and regional stakeholders, with the hope that a firm, coordinated message can push both factions toward a ceasefire and eventual negotiations.
However, this strategy carries diplomatic risks for UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The UK may have to confront some of its own allies, especially in the Middle East, about their roles in fueling the war. One key issue is the alleged supply of arms. The United Arab Emirates, a close UK partner, stands accused by the Sudanese government of covertly supplying weapons to the RSF, which has been blamed for atrocities in West Darfur, particularly against the Masalit tribe.
Sudan has taken this accusation to the International Court of Justice, claiming the UAE’s actions amount to complicity in genocide, an allegation Abu Dhabi has strongly denied, calling it a “publicity stunt.”
Sudan’s foreign minister, Ali Youssef, has protested his country’s exclusion from the conference and criticized the invitation of nations like the UAE, Chad, and Kenya, which he labelled as “stakeholders in the war.” Sudan itself, supported by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, has also been accused of war crimes. Both the SAF and RSF have been charged by the United Nations with using starvation as a weapon of war.
Human rights organizations are urging the London conference to prioritize civilian protection, regardless of progress toward a ceasefire. Kate Ferguson of Protection Approaches said the meeting comes at a crucial time, with civilians increasingly vulnerable as battle lines shift. She stressed the urgent need for a new international mechanism to protect non-combatants- whether a contact group or a broader coalition of conscience.
“The people of Sudan are under an unimaginable triple threat: armed conflict, atrocity crimes based on identity, and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe,” Ferguson warned.
Another pressing concern is the collapse of communication networks across Sudan. Shayna Lewis of Avaaz noted that more than 25 million people, half the country’s population, have been cut off from the internet, unable to make phone calls or send messages. “This is like cutting off half of England from the outside world,” she said, emphasizing the impact on aid delivery, coordination, and international media coverage.
As ministers gather in London, they face a daunting task: forging unity among divided international actors while addressing the world’s most severe, yet underreported, crisis. The hope is that this diplomatic initiative can help shift momentum toward peace, and bring relief to millions of Sudanese caught in a conflict with no clear end in sight.
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