UK opted against stronger Sudan atrocity-prevention plans despite warnings of mass killings

The British government declined to pursue more assertive civilian-protection measures for Sudan even after receiving internal assessments warning that El Fasher was at serious risk of falling and could see large-scale ethnic violence.

The paper – drawn up last year and circulated within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – set out four potential approaches to strengthen atrocity prevention and shielding of civilians in Sudan as the siege of El Fasher intensified.

Officials ultimately selected the lowest-intervention model on the list.

El Fasher was seized by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group last month, followed by large-scale killings, reports of widespread sexual violence, and thousands of residents unaccounted for. Humanitarian monitors have described the violence as ethnic-targeted and potentially genocidal.

The internal FCDO document acknowledged that the more robust plan would involve the creation or backing of an international civilian-protection mechanism aimed at preventing crimes against humanity and conflict-related sexual violence. But officials concluded that funding cuts and staff shortages meant the UK could not commit to that type of intervention, and instead adopted a limited option centred around additional contributions to the International Committee of the Red Cross and other organisations.

Review findings from the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) – summarising UK assistance to Sudan between 2019 and mid-2025 – also note that the lack of money and capacity weakened the government’s ability to support programmes specifically aimed at protecting women and girls, despite ongoing evidence of sexual violence being used systematically in the conflict.

Britain’s response to Sudan is closely watched internationally because London is the UN Security Council “penholder” on Sudan, meaning it is responsible for leading draft resolutions, negotiations, and formal Security Council texts on the conflict.

The government has rejected criticism that its approach has been inadequate, stressing that more than £120 million has been channelled into Sudan and neighbouring countries, and arguing that it continues to press for accountability at the UN.

UK officials point to recent interventions at the Security Council, which stated that RSF leaders would be held responsible for crimes carried out by their forces.

The RSF has previously denied targeting civilians.