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Question
The world’s worst humanitarian crisis is threatening deeper depths. The violence in El Obeid and the new offensive must not happen; attacks on civilian infrastructure and supply lines are shocking beyond comprehension.
Words alone won't stop fighting, so how will words turn into action? Will there be consequences for those destroying or obstructing British aid? What measures will target leaders and organisations funding violence?
What has UK contributed to US efforts for a ceasefire? Has the UK been part of Sudan Quintet’s civilian dialogue process? How can the UK support evidence collection and prosecutions? The UK will soon lead a financial taskforce on illicit war funding.
The Minister needs to respond to concerns that British Government allegedly failed to act on intelligence about impending mass atrocities in El Fasher. Since July 2024, how has Foreign Office handled conflict?
Britain’s national security demands action: end the war and support peaceful rule; avoid destabilisation from Sahel to Middle East; prevent Red Sea threats, Iranian/Russian influence, and ungoverned spaces for terrorist groups.
Minister reply
In response to additional funding and turning words into action, we are protecting humanitarian support funding and adding emergency funds in El Obeid. We reject claims of failure to act on intelligence regarding mass atrocities; swift actions were taken since June 2024.
The Foreign Secretary has raised this matter at high levels, including the Security Council chairing, Quad partnerships, and UN Secretary-General talks for multilateral intervention. We are working with Angola on international coalition for atrocity prevention and evidence gathering to ensure accountability and prosecutions.
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Question
The Minister is a good man, and I know that he cares deeply about this subject, but the time for calling on the belligerents and their backers to desist has ended. We now have half a million people in El Obeid who are worried they will die of thirst or violent death. Will the Government name and shame the belligerents and slap more sanctions on them? Will they ensure that there is a UN Security Council resolution explicitly calling for the halt of the impending invasion?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is a passionate advocate on this issue, and as I said in my statement, the Foreign Secretary has raised the matter with the UAE directly. We have issued sanctions but do not discuss additional ones here. We are putting money into support for El Obeid and working at the UN to bring about a peaceful resolution.
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Question
The International Development Committee heard that repeated warnings of a genocidal massacre in El Fasher were ignored due to foreign policy prioritising economic security and diplomatic relationships with the UAE. Given Sheikh Mansour's role in arming the RSF, will the Government call this out and amend the Independent Football Regulator’s remit to sanction club owners suspected of human rights abuses?
Minister reply
We reject these claims but continue to raise concerns about Sudan at the UN. The Foreign Secretary has raised the matter with the UAE during her visit to Cairo last week, ensuring that Sudan remains a top multilateral agenda item.
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Question
The situation in Sudan is outrageous with unbearable atrocities against women and girls. What steps are being taken by the UK to protect them from sexual violence?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises a critical issue. We have announced a multi-year £20 million programme to support survivors of sexual violence, work on the border with UNICEF to protect victims, and ensure refugees receive support.
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Question
Trade with the UAE has led to a lack of robust action in the past. Now is time for the UK, as UN penholder for Sudan, to stand up against atrocities. Will the Government empower civil servants with an atrocity prevention Act to hold themselves and Ministers accountable?
Minister reply
We work internationally on atrocity prevention through evidence gathering and working in coalitions. The Foreign Secretary has raised this matter with the UAE and other partners over the past week, challenging them continuously.
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Question
Serious allegations have been made that ties with international partners may have influenced UK's actions to de-escalate conflict in Sudan. Given these, what steps is he taking to ensure the UK is not beholden to allies culpable for atrocities?
Minister reply
We work constantly on Sudan, engaging and challenging all foreign partners daily. The Foreign Secretary leads this work, ensuring protection of aid support and providing more support across the region.
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Question
The Foreign Office’s weak policy on the UAE persists with rebels receiving significant arms from them. Surely it is time to sanction individuals responsible for decision making in the UAE?
Minister reply
We engage diplomatically day in, day out, but will not debate sanctions here. We keep them under review and work internationally to bring about a peaceful resolution.
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Question
This is a bloody conflict with rape used as a weapon of war. What steps are being taken with international partners to ensure belligerents and those culpable are brought to justice?
Minister reply
We work internationally on evidence gathering to ensure prosecutions can take place through the courts, holding perpetrators accountable.
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Question
The Minister urged the parties to comply with international law, but many believe UK compliance is cosmetic. The Srebrenica judgment established that a state breaches its obligations under the genocide convention not by failing to prevent a genocide but by not even trying to do so. Can we have an independent inquiry into whether it is true that the UK has complied with its obligations under the genocide convention?
Minister reply
I reject the suggestion that the Government does not respect international law or human rights conventions. The UK supports international efforts through funding, direct support, and humanitarian aid. We lead in multilateral systems such as the UN Security Council to ensure compliance with international obligations.
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Question
What is the impact of the Sudan crisis on its neighbouring countries? How can we assist them?
Minister reply
The UK has offered funding to support refugees travelling into Chad. The Foreign Secretary and other colleagues have visited the region recently to assess the situation and continue dialogue with relevant parties.
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Question
How is the Christian community in Sudan being affected by the conflict, and what steps are being taken to address this issue?
Minister reply
The UK has an envoy for freedom of religion or belief who leads work on this matter. We will continue to challenge those who target Christians specifically because of their faith.
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Question
What steps are the UK Government taking to strengthen international law enforcement against war crimes, especially in Sudan and Gaza?
Minister reply
The UK works internationally every day to lead on humanitarian response and international law. We continue to challenge partners to bring about a peaceful resolution and prosecute those who have committed war crimes through international courts.
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Question
With the change in leadership, will the Minister override theoretical intellectual arguments by mandarins to make representations on behalf of this House regarding the UAE’s role in Sudan?
Minister reply
I assure the right hon. Gentleman that as the transition takes place, I will ensure that the views of the House are fed into foreign policy work and more broadly.
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Question
Will the Minister put a proper spotlight on this conflict to prioritise civilian protection and humanitarian relief?
Minister reply
We keep Sudan on the agenda wherever the UK leads, such as in February at the UN Security Council. We will continue to highlight atrocities and devastation taking place against civilians in Sudan.
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Question
Will the Minister agree today to suspend arms exports to the UAE and summon the ambassador to insist on steps taken by the UAE?
Minister reply
I reject that the UK has failed Sudan. We continue to raise issues at the highest levels, including speaking with the Foreign Minister of the UAE.
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Question
We have seen three years of unimaginable suffering in Sudan, with millions hungry and displaced. Major powers like the US have largely been absent while others such as UAE, Iran, and Turkey are actively supporting conflict by supplying arms and drones. The UK must be on the side of peace. Will the Minister say what more he will do to stop this supply of arms and throw our weight behind a ceasefire before we see another El Fasher massacre in El Obeid?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to challenge me on this issue. We are providing additional funding for El Obeid, leading international work against conflict progression, working with US colleagues to gather evidence of sexual violence crimes for prosecution, and personally leading the charge for a peace deal through pressure from the Foreign Secretary.
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Question
The brutal conflict has resulted in more than 14 million people being displaced, with 9 million internally and 5 million over borders. What practical steps are the Government taking to support those who are displaced internally?
Minister reply
We often use UN agencies inside Sudan as trusted support mechanisms for internally displaced peoples. We also offer additional support in neighbouring countries where refugees move to such as Chad, and keep the situation under constant review to provide more support where needed.
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Question
I thank the Minister for his statement and reassurance. Can he confirm that we are not exporting weapons to the UAE for use in Sudan? Also, can he assure us that the women and girls who are fleeing into Chad are getting all the support they need?
Minister reply
We have ringfenced funding for support for women and girls, and are working with an international coalition to end violence against them. The Foreign Secretary’s six priorities include women and girls in Sudan, which is a crucial part of that.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that the escalation of drone strikes and ethnically targeted violence demands an unyielding response? Will he commit to using the UK position on the UN Security Council for immediate humanitarian corridors, ensuring missionaries and British foreign nationals are safe?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman has championed Sudanese issues for years; I thank him. The Foreign Secretary spoke with the UN Secretary-General just this Tuesday about Sudan, issuing a clarifying statement with Norway, Germany and others to lead work in the UN for peace resolution.
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Question
The single most effective action would be for the UAE to withdraw its backing for RSF. What more can the Minister do to persuade the UAE? If that fails, what can we do on gold trade and illicit finance in addition to sanctions?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary raised this issue with the UAE this week during her visit to Cairo. Regarding illicit gold flows, we are a leader in tackling this problem through public-private partnerships to clamp down on these illicit flows.