Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to support a lasting ceasefire in Sudan.

The FCDO is pursuing all diplomatic avenues to end the violence in Sudan and de-escalate tensions. We welcome the 7-day ceasefire agreement signed by the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces on 20 May, following the 11 May Jeddah Declaration which committed the parties to International Humanitarian Law, protecting civilians and to facilitate humanitarian action, including access. We call on both parties to uphold these agreements, implement the ceasefire and allow essential humanitarian support to reach the people of Sudan. We will continue to support international efforts to secure a ceasefire of hostilities, unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of civilians. This includes through our position as a Permanent Member at the United Nations, through engagement with the conflicting parties and cooperation with counterparts from African, Quad (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UK and US) and European countries. We are also engaging with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the African Union.