On the 18 November 2025, we wrote to the Secretary of State, The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, to call for the UK government to take urgent action response to the crisis in Sudan. We encourage all readers to use this as a template to contact their own Member of Parliament, Ministers or local press.
Dear Secretary of State
Crisis in Sudan: WILPF calls for urgent UK government action
I am writing on behalf of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) to express our concern and urge you to action in response to the crisis enveloping Sudan at this time.
As the UN penholder for this country we are aware that the UK government has committed to the provision of aid to address the humanitarian emergency. Nevertheless, we are concerned that little has been done by the UK government actively to seek a resolution to the conflict which has now escalated into a full-scale genocide, with more than 150,000 people killed and more than 14 million displaced from their homes. The lack of a tangible response by the UN Security Council in March 2025 to the report from Médecins Sans Frontières and UNICEF was regrettable and it would appear that action was not taken to protect civilians in the conflict.
Of particular concern is the nature of the continuing relationship between the UK government and the United Arab Emirates. We are deeply troubled by the escalation of conflict between the opposing forces, and barriers that have prevented the establishment of a civilian government in Sudan. In addition, the ongoing provision of arms to both sides in the conflict – the Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces – is only making matters worse.
We urge the UK government to use whatever influence it has on the Arab States to persuade the two sides in the conflict to back the peace plan agreed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia with US support. We also add our voices to those calling for the UK to suspend arms sales to the UAE amid concerns that these are reaching the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. In addition, we also draw attention to the need – as a matter of urgency and necessity – to include Sudanese civilians, especially, women, in the ceasefire talks.
Yours in peace
