For the last three weeks, a civil war has been growing within Sudan, involving clashes between rival factions within the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. The conflict threatens to create a humanitarian crisis as over one hundred thousand Sudanese citizens have already been displaced by fighting, with a projected total number of refugees rising to eight hundred thousand. In addition, the last two weeks have seen a hurried evacuation of foreign nationals from Khartoum, which has been severely hampered by the military clashes within the city. In the midst of this crisis, both the UK government and Scottish Conservatives have offered support to those affected by the crisis.
While this phase of the conflict began on the 15th of April 2023, it follows escalation between two rival factions of the Sudanese military which have been building since 2021, when a coup ended the nation’s transition to democracy. However, it is only in the last few weeks that the conflict has caused multiple nations, including the United Kingdom, to announce the evacuation of diplomats and foreign nationals from the country. As of the 2nd of May, the UK government has evacuated 2,341 people, praised as “the longest and largest operation of any Western nation”.
The Scottish Conservatives have also expressed support for the Sudanese evacuation, working closely with the UK Government on the issue to ensure its success. In addition, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has expressed support for ensuring safe and legal routes for those affected by the crisis in Sudan, saying that the government will look into the issue.
Despite the official evacuation having concluded, Cleverly has stressed that the UK would retain a presence in Sudan to help remaining British nationals exit the country, and to mitigate the growing humanitarian crisis. He said: “We will ensure that we maintain a presence to support British nationals because the situation in Sudan, sadly, is still volatile and it is still dangerous”. The UK presence in Sudan is also attempting to negotiate an extension to the ceasefire, and providing aid to Sudan and neighbouring countries who have been most severely impacted by the fighting. It is hopeful that this diplomatic intervention by the UK Government and other countries will be able to negotiate a permanent end to the conflict, which currently threatens millions of people in Sudan.
The past two years have seen multiple humanitarian crises which have led to a significant number of displaced people. In the midst of the Afghanistan, Ukraine and Sudan crises, the UK government has played a vital role in ensuring the stability, and safety of those living in the most affected areas. As a result of its close cooperation with the Ukrainian government, there are now over one hundred and fifty thousand Ukrainian refugees who are able to live and work within the UK. It is during conflicts such as these that the strength and influence of the British government can be seen, as it successfully works to help keep people safe in crises around the world.