The diplomats and employees of humanitarian aid organizations from all over the world gathered in London to promote greater humanitarian effort to try to help people affected by the two -year civil war in Sudan.
The conflict made dozens of thousands of dead, changed 12.6 million people, according to the UN, and caused hunger in much of the country.
The African Union co -organized one day conference with the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union.
The participants appealed to the “immediate cessation of hostilities”, but the United Kingdom Foreign Minister David Lammy said that peace would require time, more international efforts and “patient diplomacy.”
The main objective of the conference was not to negotiate peace, but to respond to what the United Nations called the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
Representatives of Western countries, international organizations and neighboring countries participated in the event, but no one from Sudan was present.
Neither the Sudanese army nor the Rival Paramilitan Group were invited to the rapid support forces (RSF).
Lammy told delegates that “many have renounced Sudan,” suggesting that the conflict will probably continue, with the greatest obstacle to peace the “lack of political will.”
“We have to persuade the parties to conflict to protect civilians, allow help to enter and cross the country and put peace first,” Lammy said.
The war began on April 15, 2023, after the tensions between the Sudanese army and the RSF became a struggle for power.
The combatants began in the cartoon and extended throughout the country, and at least 20,000 people were killed, although the real number is probably much higher.
The Sudanese army resumed the cartoon last month, which was considered a fundamental victory. However, RSF continues to control much of the western region of Darfur and other areas.
The UN reported that more than 300 civilians were killed in Darfur in the last fighting.
The war led hunger in some regions of the country and forced more than 12.6 million people to flee their homes. More than three million crossed neighboring countries such as Chad and Egypt. Both sides of the war were accused of war crimes.
The World Food Program establishes that around 25 million people, half of the population of Sudan, face extreme hunger.
ADVERTISINGOxfam warned that the crisis can extend to neighboring countries. In South Sudan, where instability is also recorded, the arrival of Sudan refugees exerted pressure on limited resources and aggravated local tensions.
Lammy, who visited the border between Sudan and Chad in January, emphasized the need to fight the spread of instability.
“Sudan and the region in general are the migration engines and a safe and stable Sudan is vital for our national security,” he said.
The conference aims to find a way to end suffering, but the United Kingdom and other Western countries have limited powers to end the fight.
ADVERTISINGThe Sudan government criticized the conference for excluding it and invited the United Arab Emirates, who were accused of supporting the RSF.
The United Arab Emirates denied the accusations.
Nusseibeh wool, assistant minister of political affairs of the United Arab Emirates, said that both parties are committing atrocities. He appealed not to point to humanitarian workers and reach a high fire.
The United States, which reduced most of their foreign aid, should also participate in the conference.
ADVERTISINGBefore the meeting, Lammy announced a financing of 140 million euros to provide food to 650,000 people in Sudan during the next year as part of the United Kingdom Foreign Aid Budget.
In February, the United Kingdom reduced its help expenses from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP to increase military expenses.
However, Prime Minister Keir Strmer said Sudan, along with Ukraine and Gaza, will continue to be a priority for British aid.
