Foreign Secretary speech on Sudan at the UN General Assembly as part of High Level Week
The UK Foreign Secretary addressed the UN General Assembly on Sudan’s escalating crisis, highlighting the humanitarian toll, drone warfare, and the need for sanctions to curb external support fueling the conflict.
The Foreign Secretary opened by describing Sudan’s conflict as the worst humanitarian crisis of this century, with over 33 million people needing aid—more than the combined populations of London, New York City, and Paris. El Niño is expected to worsen hunger, while warring parties are deliberately destroying aid and targeting humanitarian workers, including a recent attack on a World Food Programme convoy. The conflict has expanded beyond frontlines, with drone strikes increasingly killing civilians; in the first five months of this year alone, more than 1,000 civilians were reportedly killed by drone strikes. Hospitals, markets, and humanitarian routes are now under attack, making Sudan one of the most dangerous places for aid workers, a situation exacerbated by the growing use of drones.
The Foreign Secretary emphasized that the illusion of military solutions persists despite the crisis, noting that no amount of new weaponry or external support can end the war. The expansion of drone warfare and the deepening humanitarian emergency require a stronger international response. The UK supports strengthening the UN sanctions regime to address the realities of the current conflict and curb external actors fueling the violence.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission’s report from 3 September underscored how external support sustains operations involving serious violations and international crimes. The Mission called on states to enforce the Darfur arms embargo and suspend transfers of weapons, drones, components, or military assistance to Sudan. The UK welcomed U.S. efforts to reinforce the sanctions regime to reflect the conflict’s evolving dynamics.
The Foreign Secretary concluded by stressing the need for collective action to protect civilians, ensure accountability, and deter further abuses. The UK remains committed to pushing for a ceasefire, a transition to civilian government, and unrestricted humanitarian access to address the crisis effectively.