The UK has refused to follow the US in declaring that a genocide is being committed in Sudan, but said those responsible for “atrocities” should be held to account. Foreign Office minister Anneliese Dodds told the Commons the UK Government’s position would be based on the International Criminal Court’s determination.
Sudan descended into conflict in April 2023 after months of worsening tensions turned into open fighting between rival factions seeking control of the country. Earlier this month, America accused Sudan’s Rapid Support Force rebel group and proxies of committing genocide in the country and imposed sanctions on the group’s leaders.
Responding to an urgent question from Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell, Ms Dodds said: “The long-standing position of successive British governments is that it is for courts to decide whether genocide has occurred. “While the UK takes a different approach to genocide determination therefore, than the US does, we condemn what is happening in the strongest terms. Irrespective of any genocide determination, it is clear that atrocities have been committed in this conflict, those responsible must be held to account.”.
She added: “We are determined to do all we can, as the UK, to work with others, to press the warring parties to abide with international law and to protect civilians – collecting information, promoting prevention and ensuring accountability.”. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said Sudan was “hurtling towards a man-made catastrophe on an unimaginable scale”, before adding: “Is it this Government’s intention to now go further on sanctions and to mirror the United States?”.
