Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Yousif has formally criticized the UK for hosting an international Conference on Sudan’s ongoing conflict without inviting the country’s Government in Khartoum.
In a letter to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, A. Yousif objected to the exclusion of Sudan’s de facto government and the inclusion of countries alleged to support the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The summit, scheduled for 15 April in London, aims to address the war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan, with foreign ministers from around the world expected to attend. The RSF, which has been engaged in a brutal conflict with Sudan’s army since April 2023, is also not invited, but countries such as the UAE, Chad, and Kenya, which are believed to support the RSF, have been given a place at the table.
Khartoum’s foreign ministry condemned the UK’s actions, equating the government’s exclusion with an implicit recognition of the RSF as a legitimate party. It accused the UK of showing leniency towards the RSF, which it describes as a “terrorist militia” responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity. Sudan has raised concerns over the UK’s alleged secret talks with the RSF.
In response, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed the UK’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, emphasizing the need for urgent international action to prevent further escalation. Despite Sudan’s objections, the summit will proceed with participation from key regional players, including Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, who are generally aligned with Sudan’s army over the RSF. Sudan had previously protested Kenya’s hosting of a similar conference in February, which saw the RSF announce the formation of a parallel government, prompting Sudan to suspend all imports from Kenya.