Yvette Cooper has expressed concern over the global failure to recognize the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan, characterized by reports of widespread atrocities including mass killings, starvation, and the use of rape as a tool of warfare.

The Foreign Secretary strongly denounced the distressing events in the Darfur region following the takeover of el-Fasher city by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to the Foreign Office, approximately 260,000 individuals, half of whom are children, are currently stranded in conditions resembling famine, isolated from aid and exposed to lethal violence.

During a summit in Bahrain, Ms. Cooper, alongside foreign ministers from Germany and Jordan, called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing civil conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military since 2023.

Following the summit, Ms. Cooper emphasized the necessity for world leaders to prioritize addressing the conflict in Sudan with the same vigor as other crisis zones like Gaza. She highlighted the dire situation, with around 8 million people on the brink of famine, equivalent to the population of London, yet lamented the lack of urgency displayed by the international community.

Ms. Cooper stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, and the protection of civilians, especially women and girls, from the escalating violence in Sudan. She announced a commitment of £5 million in emergency aid from the UK, with a specific allocation of £2 million to support survivors of sexual violence.

The Foreign Secretary also raised concerns about the regression in efforts to protect women in conflict zones since the passage of a UN resolution 25 years ago. She called for renewed focus on combating violence against women and girls, emphasizing the crucial role of international cooperation and foreign policy in addressing these issues.