The UK Foreign Office has engaged in covert discussions with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a controversial paramilitary group in Sudan, drawing criticism due to the RSF’s alleged involvement in war crimes, including ethnic cleansing. The RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, is central to a power struggle within Sudan’s military, significantly exacerbating the humanitarian crisis with over 8 million displaced civilians. Despite these allegations, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) acknowledged the discussions, justifying them as efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid and end hostilities.

Simultaneously, prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Bill Nighy, Paloma Faith, Brian Cox, and Annie Lennox, have launched a campaign urging immediate UK action against the war in Sudan. They have voiced concerns through an open letter to Foreign Secretary David Cameron, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing conflict which has displaced over 8.2 million people and resulted in grave human rights violations such as sexual violence against children.

The conflict, which erupted a year ago, has led to catastrophic conditions across Sudan, with reports of targeted ethnic violence, mass killings, and rampant sexual violence in regions like Darfur. The international community’s response has been criticized for being inadequate, as depicted in accounts by journalists like Zeinab Mohammed Salih, who detail the dire humanitarian conditions endured by Sudanese civilians.

These complexities present a significant diplomatic and moral challenge for the UK government as it navigates its role and responsibilities in addressing the Sudanese crisis while dealing with groups like the RSF.