A city in war-torn Sudan is safer than London, according to a bishop who was trying to encourage the soon to be appointed UK special representative for Sudan to visit Port Sudan.
The Bishop of Leeds, Rt Rev Nick Baines, made the remarks even as the Foreign Office advises against all travel to Sudan because of the ongoing conflict in Khartoum and other parts of the country.
Port Sudan, on the Red Sea, serves as the seat of the internationally recognised, military-backed government.
Sudan descended into conflict in April 2023 when tensions between the military and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open warfare.
The department’s travel advice notes the only functional civilian airport operating international flights is Port Sudan Airport.
Speaking during a House of Lords debate, Mr Baines said: ‘The UK Government must, in my opinion, along with partners, leverage all its resources and political power to cut off the arms flow and create the conditions where any credible ceasefire might create the space for negotiation.
‘Failure to address this catastrophe now will only lead to increasingly uncontrollable consequences elsewhere, further destabilisation of an already fragile region – an example, oil gelling in the pipelines will diminish South Sudan’s economy and add to economic and humanitarian challenges – mass irregular migration will be a consequence and so on.
‘So I agree with the call for all diplomatic means – the minister said – and one to add is I think it’s essential that the new head of office, the new special envoy must physically get into Sudan.
‘I have to say Port Sudan when I was there was safer than London. But we need physical, visible presence, even if it’s only on a regular visit. Other ambassadors and envoys are doing this.’
The British embassy in Khartoum is currently closed and there are no British consular staff in Sudan, according to the Foreign Office.
Mr Baines earlier said a ‘humanitarian crisis has exploded’ in Sudan as he warned a generation of children are being ‘starved, made homeless, given no medical care or education.’
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He said: ‘Future harvests are now in serious doubt and the consequences of that will be what? Well, don’t be surprised if masses of Sudanese seek refuge through irregular immigration in this and in other countries if the UK seeks to address the current crisis without addressing the consequent implications for a destabilised region; the wider corruption of civil society in Sudan and neighbouring countries, the challenges of establishing future legitimate government with civil society engagement in a now destroyed nation and the challenge of reconstruction one day.’
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