As the civil war continues to escalate, we must keep eyes on Sudan. I attended a lobby organised by the APPG for Sudan and South Sudan in partnership with Waging Peace, an organisation that supports Sudanese asylum-seekers, refugees, and the wider community. The conflict is wreaking horrific violence and famine on the country. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, hundreds of thousands have been killed and there have been widespread reports of human rights violations, including sexual violence and ethnic cleansing.

As the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, it is vital that we continue to pay attention to it and keep eyes on Sudan. Not least because Sudan is a former British colony, administered from 1899-1956. Britain carved up Sudan, deliberately stoking regional divides and ethnic tensions which persist to this day and are at the root of the current conflict. It is concerning that the current crisis is not higher on the political agenda.

Our government must apply diplomatic pressure to both the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces to agree a ceasefire. When the fighting stops, it must support a genuine civilian-led transition to democracy as opposed to a return to military rule. That is the best way to secure lasting peace. I would also like to see ministers raising the issue of arms sales to both parties by regional allies and partners, particularly the United Arab Emirates.