Written question asked by Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 January 2024. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 January 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Sudan: Arms Trade

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will take steps to build consensus among international partners on halting arms supplies to all parties to the conflict in Sudan in advance of the publication of any report of the Panel of Experts to the UN Sudan Sanctions Committee.

Answer: The UK condemns any actions that fuels the brutal conflict in Sudan. In March, the UN Security Council renewed the mandate of the UN Panel of Experts, and extended the Darfur arms embargo until 12 September 2024. There is also a longstanding bilateral UK arms embargo in place for the whole of Sudan. These regimes have been used to constrain the flow of weapons into the country and support efforts to stop those who pose a threat to stability in Darfur. We continue to place emphasis on the importance of neutrality and of supporting a ceasefire and civilian political transition. In addition, UK officials have engaged extensively with the UN Panel of Experts on their findings. The UK will engage closely with the US (as penholder) on the renewal of the Panel of Experts mandate which is due to expire in March.

Secondary information