Second anniversary of the Sudan conflict - Bond statement

Today, Tuesday 15 April, is the second anniversary of the breakout of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.

Two years on, the conflict continues, with the country enduring one of the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises. According to the UN, approximately half of Sudan’s population (25 million people) is facing extreme levels of hunger, including about five million children and mothers suffering acute malnutrition. Famine has been confirmed in at least 10 locations in Sudan, including the Zamzam camp, home to 400,000 displaced persons (IDPs). Another 17 areas are at risk in the coming months.

Today the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy is hosting a conference in London bringing together foreign ministers from nearly 20 countries and organisations in an attempt to establish a group that can drive the warring factions in Sudan closer towards peace.

Bond has released the following statement on the 2nd anniversary of the start of the conflict in Sudan and ahead of the conference:

“On the second anniversary of the Sudan conflict, we welcome the Foreign Secretary’s convening of a global ministerial conference today in an attempt to unlock progress towards a ceasefire and enable humanitarian work on the ground. With Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe showing no sign of abating, four priorities need concerted diplomatic effort at the highest levels both at this conference and beyond.

We urge the UK to honour and scale up its £226 million humanitarian pledge. Focus must be given to scaling up support to local responders, including community-based and women-led organisations, ensuring increased direct flexible funding to avert the expansion of famine and support local peacebuilding.

Ensure that the conference delivers renewed political momentum for an immediate ceasefire that ends the violence and that there is meaningful engagement with Sudanese civil society throughout, including in sustained follow up after the meeting. It is essential that diplomatic efforts are joined up, including a unified Africa response plan addressing regional spill-over of the crisis, alongside a political process to end the violence.

Halting both targeted and indiscriminate attacks against civilians must be a priority, especially with the urgent situation in north Darfur. Concrete action must be taken to protect civilians.

Ensure safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to ensure the most vulnerable have access to critical support and that humanitarian actors can conduct their work safely, including sustained cross-border and cross-line access.

At this moment of international disruption and instability, the Foreign Secretary’s continued championing of high-level political attention to Sudan is much needed. This ministerial conference is an opportunity for international high-level political commitments to ending violence and suffering in Sudan and to ensure a sustainable end to the conflict.”

ENDS.

Notes for editors

This statement was informed by Bond’s Humanitarian sub-working group on Sudan, made up of Bond members.
Last week, the NGO Forums published a report on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Last month, an open letter from 70 African and Sudanese CSOs was sent to the Chair of the African Union calling on him to make Sudan his highest priority. Please get in touch if you would like to see this letter.
Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
For further information or interviews, please get in touch with Jess Salter at [email protected] or call 07392972411.