Sudan: Aerial Bombardment

Debate between Lord Bellingham and Lord Wood of Anfield

Thursday 29th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)]

My noble friend is right to point to the role of external interference in this conflict and the way it fuels the conflict. We have been clear from the start that all external support for either side serves only to fuel the bloodshed and prolonged violence and must end. That is why we have imposed an arms embargo on Sudan. With reference to the United States, that is why we are not just continuing to call for compliance with the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur; we are also working with the US and others to support efforts to strengthen the scope of that UN embargo.

[Lord Bellingham (Con)]

Further to the question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Alton, it was exactly a year ago that the RSF attacked El Fasher and 6,000 civilians were killed. A similar appalling atrocity was committed in El Geneina a few months later. These are vile, wicked and evil crimes committed by people who are beyond being reproached. What more can be done to bring them to justice?

[Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)]

I agree with the noble Lord—as I think everyone will—on the vileness of the actions in El Fasher; the events were horrific. Earlier this week, the Minister for International Development and the All-Party Group on Sudan held a joint event in Parliament to remember the victims. On the first anniversary of the RFS assault on El Fasher, we announced a new round of sanctions on suspected perpetrators of sexual violence and other atrocities. The answer to what can be done is: a whole range of things. Frustrating as this is, I am pleased to say that the United Kingdom is leading on both humanitarian support—providing £146 million a year—and on justice and accountability, through leadership of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice for Sudan. We are also using our penholder status at the United Nations for a variety of activities.