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Question
How can the Foreign Secretary address the credibility damage caused by the Prime Minister's appointment of Peter Mandelson, knowing his links to Epstein? Have you assessed the impact on UK’s international and reputational interests?
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Question
How will the UK use its presidency of the UN Security Council to advance efforts for peace in Sudan? What are your views on US-led peace efforts and what parameters have been set?
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Question
Welcoming the Minister's visit, Anneliese Dodds emphasises the importance of civilian capacity in peace processes, criticising the exclusion of civilians by the two generals involved in the conflict and urging for their engagement.
Minister reply
I welcome my right hon. Friend’s points about the bravery of Sudanese civilians and agree that civilian capacity must be a central part of the peace process. I have discussed this with the African Union, as we believe that civilians can only be supported with assistance from bordering countries.
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Question
Questioning why sanctions still fall short of EU actions and targeting gold trade profiteers, Monica Harding urges the Government to secure a ceasefire, expand arms embargoes, ensure aid distribution through UN channels, prevent parallel diplomatic tracks from undermining UN-led peace efforts, and suspend arms exports to the UAE.
Minister reply
The sanctions now issued bring us broadly in line with the EU. We seek to link our sanctions to evidence on atrocities and arms flows, pressing for greater humanitarian access, moving towards a civilian Government, silencing guns, ending arms flows, and taking action against countries involved.
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Question
Confirming the orchestrated use of rape as a weapon of war and ensuring women's involvement in peace negotiations, Fleur Anderson raises concerns about children being deliberately targeted by both sides.
Minister reply
I strongly agree that we need to pursue peace and hold accountable those who have inflicted atrocities on children. Women must be at the table during peace negotiations.
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Question
Complimenting proactive engagement with Parliament and emphasising civilian engagement in ceasefire discussions and the Berlin conference, David Mundell asks about engaging the African Union.
Minister reply
I agree on the importance of civilian engagement. We need to engage more with the African Union as it would be harder for Russia to veto UN Security Council resolutions if they were more engaged.
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Question
How will the Foreign Secretary engage with external actors fuelling conflict and what leverage can be used to ensure they withdraw their weapons?
Minister reply
We are raising the issue of arms flow in international discussions. An end to arms flow is part of the process, as it prevents warring parties from securing additional weapons.
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Question
How are the Government engaging directly with Sudanese civilian coalitions?
Minister reply
We are working to bring together a range of civilian groups and supporting them. We are also seeking to draw up a stronger process for future engagement, building capacity among civilian groups.
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Question
Can you tell us more about UK efforts to provide humanitarian aid in Sudan?
Minister reply
We have provided over £140 million for humanitarian aid, including a dedicated fund for survivors of sexual violence, ensuring local groups can deliver support on the ground.
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Question
Will you continue engaging with civilians affected by conflict and civil society?
Minister reply
Yes, we will engage with Parliament and anybody with evidence to support the process. We will also look at sanctions on individuals.
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Question
Will you use your office to lead international efforts to bring perpetrators of violence against women to justice?
Minister reply
We want to ensure that the issue of violence against women and girls is at the heart of our foreign policy. We will support work on a small scale already done for victims of sexual violence.
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Question
How many allies have agreed to an arms embargo, and what action will be taken against non-compliant countries?
Minister reply
Restricting and preventing arms flows has been central in international discussions. We need more work to do, given the number of countries involved.
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Question
Will you pursue perpetrators in international courts and provide rehabilitation support for victims?
Minister reply
We want to ensure psychological and practical support for victims, especially children who suffer deep trauma from rape.
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Question
What is the view of Ethiopia and South Sudan on actions needed to limit destabilisation?
Minister reply
Foreign Ministers across the region are concerned about regional destabilisation. We discussed how Foreign Ministers can work together, understanding dynamics within Sudan.
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Question
Can you further unpick what European allies are doing to help end the war?
Minister reply
We have discussed this matter directly at G7, including France and Germany. We plan to involve other European countries and international partners in the Berlin conference.
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Question
There is significant evidence of the use of Chinese-manufactured arms, such as the FH-95 strategic drone, in Sudan. How much time was dedicated to raising that matter with the Chinese during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China? Has the Foreign Secretary spoken to her Chinese counterparts about it?
Minister reply
We continue to raise this matter in all our international engagements. There is increasing evidence that drones and some of the more serious weapons are being procured for use in Sudan.
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Question
What representations does she continue to make to parties to the conflict to secure unhindered humanitarian access, particularly for neighbouring countries that face destabilisation?
Minister reply
We will continue to maintain the pressure because there has to be access. There must also be continuing support, which is why we will discuss how we can ensure funding for the humanitarian support needed.
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Question
What concrete measures is the UK taking—diplomatic, regulatory, sanctions—with partners to highlight and stop the illicit gold trade that is fuelling this horrific conflict?
Minister reply
We held an event with a group of Foreign Ministers and ambassadors from a range of countries neighbouring Sudan at which we discussed the economics of the conflict. Part of the response must be to target those routes for profit.
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Question
Can she discuss what healthcare support will be provided to women and girls, from medical aid to paediatric care for children born from rape?
Minister reply
We visited some of the clinics and support services for victims of sexual violence in Ethiopia and Chad. We need to ensure that those services can also be provided to the victims in Sudan.
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Question
What is the UK doing to support the international effort to preserve and verify evidence for a future court case?
Minister reply
We are sending teams to pursue and gather exactly that kind of evidence. We expect their fact-finding report before the end of the month.
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Question
Can the Foreign Secretary assure me that in wider diplomatic engagement with international partners, including when negotiating trade deals, this Government will always consider a country’s attitude to girls and young women?
Minister reply
Violence against women and girls should be central to UK foreign policy. We are working with other countries to tackle what is not just a national emergency but a global emergency.
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Question
Is the Foreign Secretary planning to support the African Union-led quintet initiative—which involves multilateral organisations, including the UN—to bring together Sudanese political parties and civil society?
Minister reply
We had meetings directly with the African Union to make sure that the work to support civic society involves the work it is doing locally and also involves neighbouring countries directly.
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Question
What more are we doing with our allies to ensure we can maximise the aid that gets into Sudan? Is there any prospect that we can get UN troops to protect the civilian population, and children in particular?
Minister reply
We are working on how we can strengthen support for children and use not just the work of the UN Security Council or that of the UN more widely, but any international forum we have, to raise the plight of children.
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Question
What can be done to help provide the humanitarian and medical aid that is needed, including to address the psychological impact on those women and girls?
Minister reply
We are working to ensure there is access for humanitarian aid. The most terrible crimes are being committed, so we are raising the plight of children.