Conflict in Sudan

Lord Purvis of Tweed Excerpts

Tuesday 11th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)]

Of course, we are aware of those reports and we have investigated them thoroughly. I can confirm that no military equipment from the UK has found its way to Sudan and we will continue to monitor this incredibly closely.

The three items that were found were a seat belt, something for target practice and some engine components. We have been able to trace the export of these items; it happened around 10 years ago. We will continue to keep an eye on it. We want to make sure that the integrity of our arms controls is maintained, especially on the issue of diversion, and I can commit to the House that we will investigate incredibly thoroughly any further reports like this.

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, I note the very recent ICAI report on the Sudan policy of this Government and the previous Administration, and I declare that I was an implementer of the governance strand over recent years, which was positively recognised in that ICAI report.

I am sure the Minister will agree with me that the imperative is that we put urgent mechanisms in place to continue to guard against the atrocities against civilians that we are seeing. I hope the Minister will also agree that it is extremely important that we increase our efforts for a ceasefire, with the UK backing the Quad powers and the regional mechanisms for an immediate ceasefire.

Will the Minister also restate what the noble Lord, Lord Collins, said on numerous occasions: that the future of Sudan is for the civilians of Sudan, led by civilian groups, so that any ceasefire and post-ceasefire agreement will not be a division of spoils for those very entities that have been carrying out the atrocities in recent weeks?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

Absolutely, and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work that the noble Lord, Lord Collins, did on Sudan for many years: certainly, during his role as Minister for Africa, it was outstanding. The leadership that he showed on an issue that, at many points, must have been quite a lonely place to be, given the lack of interest that there was at various times, is highly commendable.

We engage regularly with all members of the Quad. I have spoken to the UAE and the US and my ministerial colleagues at the FCDO do likewise. We are absolutely committed to doing whatever we can, both as penholder at the UN and through our role at the Human Rights Council, and just as a concerned partner and ally, to make sure that we do everything that we are able to do to bring about a ceasefire and then a lasting peace.