On September 27, 2026, the United Kingdom hosted a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The meeting, held on behalf of the Coalition for Preventing Atrocities and Achieving Justice in Sudan, focused on protecting civilians and humanitarian responders in Sudan. The coalition comprises the UK, Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Norway, and the European Union.
The meeting highlighted the increasing use of drones in Sudan, which has expanded the conflict and caused significant harm to civilians, including humanitarian workers. The coalition called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure safe and rapid access to humanitarian aid. They also emphasized the need to hold those responsible for violations accountable.
The coalition expressed deep concern over continued attacks on civilians, reports of using starvation as a weapon, and sexual violence against women and girls. They also noted the destruction of homes, markets, healthcare facilities, and water systems, exacerbating food insecurity and famine. The destruction of healthcare facilities and disruption of services pose a significant risk to women and civilians in need of assistance.
The coalition condemned restrictions on humanitarian access and attacks on humanitarian workers, which worsen displacement, hunger, and disease. They praised the bravery of humanitarian workers who continue to assist communities across Sudan despite the risks. The coalition emphasized the need to protect these workers and allow them to operate in a safe and unhindered environment.
The coalition expressed concern over external interference that continues to fuel the conflict and prolong the suffering of civilians. They called on countries to refrain from arming, financing, or facilitating the warring parties in Sudan. The coalition also urged states to comply with their obligations under the UN sanctions regime and avoid actions that escalate the conflict or facilitate further international law violations.
The Sudanese Coalition for Democratic Civil Forces (Smoud) and the Umma Party welcomed the coalition's statement. Smoud considered the international efforts to align with their vision and positions, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing civilian issues in Sudan. The youth organization Mashad also welcomed the statement, praising the coalition's efforts to keep the protection of civilians and accountability for perpetrators on the international community's agenda.
Mashad called for translating international commitments into effective protection, including activating early warning mechanisms, ensuring unhindered humanitarian access, and providing necessary support to monitoring and documenting teams to prevent impunity. The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to working together to prevent further atrocities, promote accountability and justice, and protect civilians and humanitarian responders in Sudan.
Key points
- The international coalition for preventing atrocities in Sudan has expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation
- The coalition has called for respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians
- Sudanese groups have welcomed the coalition's statement, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to protect civilians
