Sudan calls on UK to engage as ‘friends’ instead of confrontation

By Adel Abdelrheem and Rania Abu Shamala

KHARTOUM (AA) - Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf called on the UK to engage with his country "as friends” instead of confrontation at international forums, state news agency SUNA reported.

During a meeting with Christian Turner, director-general for political affairs at the UK Foreign Ministry, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Yusuf provided an explanation of the developments in Sudan and the measures taken by the government to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

He urged that Sudan and the UK should engage “as friends rather than confront each other at international forums, as this has proven to be ineffective."

"Any initiatives or activities related to Sudan should be carried out in consultation with the government and with its approval, otherwise, they will not have any real impact," he added.

The ongoing civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, in which tens of thousands have been killed and many more displaced, broke out in April 2023.

In November 2024, the government welcomed Russia's veto at the UN Security Council against a British draft resolution that called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and ensuring the safe passage of civilains.