Talks in London seek pathway to end war in Sudan.

International Conference in London Seeks Path to Peace for Sudan Amid Escalating Crisis

Key Points:

1. Conference Aims for Peace Without Warring Parties:
   • Senior international officials gathered in London on the second anniversary of Sudan’s civil war (April 15, 2023) to discuss a peace pathway—without the participation of Sudan’s warring factions.
   • The conflict, between the Sudanese army (led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo), has triggered the world’s worst hunger and displacement crisis (UN).
2. Humanitarian Catastrophe:
   • 13+ million displaced, tens of thousands killed, and famine declared in parts of Sudan.
   • 2,776+ children killed or maimed (UNICEF estimate, likely undercounted).
   • 30+ million in desperate need, with 12 million women and girls at risk of gender-based violence.
3. International Response & Aid Pledges:
   • UK pledged £120 million ($158m) in new aid, with FM David Lammy vowing not to let Sudan become a “forgotten war.”
   • Germany committed €125m ($142m), calling it the “greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time.”
   • France pledged €50m, urging warring parties to agree to a ceasefire.
4. Controversy Over Exclusion of Sudanese Government:
   • Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef protested the conference, accusing the UK of equating the RSF (a paramilitary group) with the Sudanese state.
   • Germany stated both sides were unwilling to negotiate, leaving the international community to push for peace.
5. Regional & Global Security Concerns:
   • Fears of spillover instability in the Horn of Africa, worsening migration crises.
   • UN chief Antonio Guterres warned of continued weapons flows into Sudan, urging external support to end.
6. Political Stalemate & Divided Nation:
   • The war stems from a power struggle post-2021 coup, which derailed Sudan’s transition after the 2019 ouster of Omar al-Bashir.
   • RSF controls Darfur & southern Sudan, while the army holds Khartoum, east, and north—effectively splitting the country in two.

Conclusion:

The London conference underscores the international community’s urgency to address Sudan’s devastating war, yet the absence of warring factions raises doubts about its effectiveness. While humanitarian aid is critical, lasting peace requires direct engagement with Sudanese stakeholders. Without a ceasefire and political resolution, Sudan risks further fragmentation, exacerbating one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history. The world must act decisively—not just with aid, but with diplomatic pressure—to halt the violence and restore stability.