A former Foreign Office official has claimed that the UK's failure to recognize ongoing atrocities in Sudan has fostered impunity and contributed directly to further genocidal campaigns. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that evidence suggested genocide was likely to unfold again in Darfur.
The official also alleged that the UK had failed to properly assess and acknowledge atrocity risks in Sudan, and that this failure had contributed to a lack of urgency in responding to the crisis.
In January, the US formally declared that genocide had been committed in Sudan by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but the UK has not followed suit. The UK has said that the determination of genocide was an issue for competent courts to decide, but it would act to prevent atrocities.
However, a foreign policy expert on mass violence told MPs that she believed even when warnings were being raised, the FCDO did not have a system by which those warnings could be easily, rapidly and urgently raised to the ministerial office.
The UAE has repeatedly denied providing arms to the RSF. At the same time, evidence was emerging of Emirati involvement in the conflict.
The UK has supported the work of the UN Fact-Finding Mission and the international criminal court and is funding a project to document and verify attacks on civilians.
A Sudanese government official said that the discovery of mass graves containing the bodies of up to 700 people, including women and children, had been confirmed through forensic analysis and DNA testing.
The official also alleged that the UK had failed to properly assess and acknowledge atrocity risks in Sudan, and that this failure had contributed to a lack of urgency in responding to the crisis.
In January, the US formally declared that genocide had been committed in Sudan by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but the UK has not followed suit. The UK has said that the determination of genocide was an issue for competent courts to decide, but it would act to prevent atrocities.
However, a foreign policy expert on mass violence told MPs that she believed even when warnings were being raised, the FCDO did not have a system by which those warnings could be easily, rapidly and urgently raised to the ministerial office.
The UAE has repeatedly denied providing arms to the RSF. At the same time, evidence was emerging of Emirati involvement in the conflict.
The UK has supported the work of the UN Fact-Finding Mission and the international criminal court and is funding a project to document and verify attacks on civilians.
A Sudanese government official said that the discovery of mass graves containing the bodies of up to 700 people, including women and children, had been confirmed through forensic analysis and DNA testing.
Sudan has basically gone off the radar for so long & it's crazy that ppl like this former FO official are speaking out about the atrocities going on there. Like, what's up with the UK not recognizing genocide? It's all about politics, I guess. 
The fact that they're trying to act all noble about preventing atrocities but aren't willing to acknowledge the elephant in the room is really frustrating. 
And those mass graves... 700 people missing... it's just heartbreaking 
We need more awareness & action ASAP! 
I'm so sick of governments playing it safe when it comes to human rights crises! The UK's inaction on Sudan is a total shame, especially with all the evidence pointing to genocide. It's like they're just waiting for someone else to step up and take responsibility. I mean, what's the point of having a 'system' if no one's gonna use it?! 
We need to be holding our governments accountable for their actions (or lack thereof). The fact that the UAE is denying any involvement in the conflict but there's proof is just ridiculous. It's time for some real action, not just PR spin! 
... it's like a ticking time bomb over there. We need more than just lip service from our leaders, we need real change 
The UK's stance on Sudan is definitely confusing. On one hand, they're saying they won't recognize genocide, but at the same time, they're supporting some of the efforts to document and verify atrocities. It feels like a bit of an odd dance, you know? And what really worries me is that this could lead to more harm for innocent people in Sudan... 
It's not like it's going to magically solve anything, but at least we can say we're facing it head-on.
. I mean, think about it, the UK's inaction on recognizing genocide in Sudan could be contributing to more violence and suffering. It's like, we're all so caught up in our own bubbles that we forget how connected the world really is 
. We need to do better, folks! Let's hold our leaders accountable for their actions and support those who are fighting for peace and justice 
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the fact that they're not recognizing genocide is like, super suspicious to me... all this evidence of atrocities and mass graves but no acknowledgement? it's not like they can just ignore it and hope it goes away 
. If the UK isn't recognizing these atrocities, how are they supposed to stop them? It's not like they're just going to sit back and do nothing, but at the same time, they need to be doing more, you know? Like, if the US has already declared genocide, why can't we? 
. But still, I'm trying not to give up hope 
. The fact that they're supporting the UN Fact-Finding Mission and funding a project to document attacks on civilians is like, a small step in the right direction 
. And those mass graves... ugh, it's just heartbreaking 
.
... The US is all "we've got this" but what about the UK? Should they be more proactive? 
... that's gotta change. But on the other hand, can we trust all these claims of Emirati involvement and UAE denying any wrongdoing? 
... And what about the UN fact-finding mission and the international court? Are they doing enough? 
... I don't know what to think anymore 
...
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. If the US can take action on genocide, why can't we? 
. We need to fix our system before more lives are lost 
Can we trust their denials? It's like they're playing both sides, which is just not on