Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to use the UK's position as penholder for Sudan at the UN Security C Council to press for (a) a ceasefire before peace talks in August, (b) adherence to international humanitarian law and (c) the free flow of humanitarian aid.

On 13 June, the UK successfully led a UNSC resolution calling for an immediate de-escalation in El Fasher and full, unimpeded humanitarian access, including the reopening of the Adre border crossing. It also requested that the Secretary-General provide recommendations on the protection of civilians. On 6 August, the UK called a UNSC session to urgently discuss the Famine Review Committee's findings and the need for the obstruction of aid by the warring parties to stop. The UK intervention re-iterated our support for UN efforts in Sudan, including through the recommendations set out by the UN Secretary White Note, released on 15 March 2024 under UNSC Resolution 2417. We continue to put pressure on the parties to ensure the recent move to re-open Adre is honoured in full and without excessive restrictions. The Foreign Secretary publicly welcomed the ceasefire talks co-hosted by the US, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland in August and urged the warring parties to participate.