😢 Sudan and Eastern DRC

• Sudanese Conflict:
  • The conflict in Sudan has lasted 21 months, with recent violence escalating due to attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the last functioning hospital in El Fasher, Darfur, killing 70 patients and their families.
  • The RSF has also shelled the Zamzam camp for displaced people, and there are reports of extrajudicial killings by militias allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces in Wad Madani.
  • The UK government condemns these attacks and highlights the blocking of aid as a major issue, describing it as one of the largest humanitarian catastrophes in recent times.
  • Foreign Secretary Lammy visited the Chad-Sudan border and witnessed the dire conditions, including meeting nurses and survivors of violence. He announced an additional £20 million in aid to support food production and sexual and reproductive services.
• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Situation:
  • Conflict in eastern DRC has persisted for over 30 years, with recent M23 rebel activities leading to the capture of significant areas including Goma.
  • UN peacekeepers from South Africa, Malawi, and Uruguay have been killed, and there’s potential for a humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals.
  • Reports from eastern DRC indicate severe violence, including attacks on children and widespread food insecurity. The area remains one of the most dangerous globally for women and girls.
• International Attention and Action:
  • Foreign Secretary Lammy criticizes the lack of international attention to African conflicts compared to those in other regions, advocating for equal attention to all human lives affected by conflict.
  • The UK has been pushing for a UN Security Council resolution on Sudan, vetoed by Russia, but vows to continue using its seat to highlight these crises.
  • Diplomatic efforts include upcoming meetings in the UK to gather international support for peace in Sudan, aiming for a ceasefire, unrestricted aid access, and a political process for conflict resolution.
• UK’s Response and Future Plans:
  • The UK has increased aid to Sudan, becoming the third-largest donor and supporting over a million displaced people.
  • In DRC, the UK advises against travel to certain areas and continues humanitarian aid of £62 million to address immediate needs like water and malnutrition.
  • Efforts are ongoing to hold those responsible for atrocities accountable, with a focus on stopping the flow of arms and punishing those supporting conflict parties.
  • The UK remains committed to supporting UN agencies and NGOs on the ground to ensure aid reaches those in need, emphasizing the importance of resolving these conflicts to prevent further instability and humanitarian crises.

The session on Sudan and Eastern DRC displays a very low level of disagreement, warranting a rating of 1. Throughout the transcript, there is a consistent bipartisan approach and a unified call for action across the political spectrum. Here are the key points supporting this rating:

1. Consensus on the Severity of the Crisis: All parties agree on the dire situation in Sudan and Eastern DRC. The Foreign Secretary, Mr David Lammy, as well as the shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, and representatives from other parties, express deep concern over the conflicts and human rights abuses. This shared concern is evident in their statements, with Priti Patel expressing agreement with Lammy’s assessment and the urgent need for action.

   Example: Priti Patel supports Lammy’s statement by saying, “Both conflicts are truly shocking, and are resulting in an ongoing displacement crisis, with millions of innocent people having to flee their homes.”

2. Unified Calls for an Immediate Ceasefire: There is a unanimous call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Sudan. Both Lammy and Patel stress the importance of this, with Patel specifically stating, “Our main overreaching objective is clear, and we both agree that we need an immediate ceasefire and an end to all hostilities in Sudan.”

3. Support for Increased Aid and Humanitarian Access: The Foreign Secretary’s announcement of increased UK aid to Sudan and efforts to secure humanitarian access is met with support from all sides. Calum Miller from the Liberal Democrats, for instance, welcomes the announcement and emphasizes the need for even more aid.

   Example: Calum Miller states, “The announcement of increased UK aid to Sudan in November was welcome, as is the further £20 million deployed at the weekend.”

4. Agreement on International Diplomatic Efforts: There is widespread agreement on the need for international cooperation and diplomatic action to resolve these conflicts. Lammy’s plans to convene Foreign Ministers to galvanize international support are positively received by all speakers.

   Example: Stephen Gethins from the SNP asks for more details on conflict mediation efforts, showing agreement with the need for such initiatives, though he seeks further information, not suggesting disagreement.

5. Sanctions and Holding Parties Accountable: Both the Government and the opposition show agreement on the necessity of sanctions and holding perpetrators accountable. Lammy’s mention of the sanctions already in place and the continuous review of these measures is met with support from Patel, who asks for updates but does not contradict the approach.

   Example: Priti Patel questions on sanctions but aligns with Lammy’s stance: “The Government must also do everything within their power to hold those responsible for the atrocities to account, because red lines have been crossed in this conflict and we cannot stand by.”

6. Absence of Confrontational Tone: The questions from MPs across parties are primarily focused on seeking more information or suggesting further actions that align with the Government’s stance, rather than challenging or opposing the policies.

Given these points, the session is characterized by a cooperative and united front, focusing on a shared commitment to addressing the humanitarian crises in Sudan and Eastern DRC. The absence of significant disagreement or oppositional rhetoric leads to the low disagreement rating of 1.