Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – As Sudan enters its third year of brutal conflict, the international community now faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that demands immediate and sustained action.

On 15 April, 2025, world leaders are gathering in London for a high-level conference co-hosted by the United Kingdom, the European Union, France, and Germany.

The primary concern of this conference should be the protection of civilians, ensuring unfettered humanitarian aid access, and holding perpetrators accountable for war crimes.

Since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fatah Al Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, aka Hemedti, erupted on the 15th, April 2023, Sudan has found itself in a whirling vortex of violence and harm.

Widespread atrocities, including the bombing of populated areas, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, looting, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, have become the hallmarks of a war largely underreported and hidden from the world.

The RSF and allied militias have pursued a campaign of ethnic cleansing, particularly in West Darfur, where thousands have been killed and entire villages destroyed.

Humanitarian access has been blocked and healthcare workers murdered.

Human Rights Watch estimates this conflict has led to the displacement of an estimated 12.9 million people.

With famine arriving on the scene, half of Sudan’s population now faces acute hunger.

It is, undoubtedly, the worst humanitarian disaster in the world today.

Food has been—like in Gaza—weaponized. Starvation as a weapon of war has been used by both warring factions, who have repeatedly obstructed the delivery of food and medical aid.

The recent 11th of April deadly assault on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in North Darfur, where paramilitaries killed over 100 people, including aid workers, is this tactic’s end logic.

As is the destruction of health facilities, including the killing of 9 medical workers from Relief International.

The need for international intervention has thus never been more pressing.

At the London conference, the UK, as a co-host, must take a leadership role in ensuring the protection of civilians.

A coalition should be considered, and even the creation of a peacekeeping mission that focuses on safeguarding civilians and providing humanitarian assistance.

It is also essential that the international community commit to holding those responsible for atrocities accountable.

As Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has said, “Accountability, regardless of the rank and affiliation of the perpetrators, is critical to breaking the recurring cycle of violence and impunity in Sudan.”

The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the African Commission for Peoples’ and Human Rights both need to step up.

Independent monitors and investigators into Sudan to document abuses and ensure accountability need to be on the ground. Journalists need to cover this war more.

The role of the arms trade cannot also be ignored. Reports have shown that both sides are getting weapons from foreign sources, despite a UN-imposed arms embargo on Sudan.

The UAE, in particular, has been accused of violating the arms embargo by providing military support to the RSF.

London tomorrow must condemn these actions and strengthen sanctions and the arms embargo.

The time for statements of concern is over.

The international community must act decisively and urgently to end the suffering of millions of civilians.

The UK, as a key player in this international conference, has a moral responsibility to spearhead efforts to protect Sudan’s civilians, ensure the free flow of aid, and bring those responsible for atrocities to justice.