UK announces Sh750 million aid for Sudan after 'horrifying' reports

A displaced woman rests in Tawila, in the country's war-torn western Darfur region, on October 28, 2025, after fleeing El-Fasher following the city's fall to the Rapid Support Forces. [AFP]

The United Kingdom announced Sh750 million (PS5 million) of new funding for Sudan on Saturday after "truly horrifying" reports of atrocities committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces during the capture of El-Fasher.

At war with the army since April 2023, the RSF seized El-Fasher last Sunday, toppling the army's last stronghold in the western Darfur region after an 18-month siege marked by bombardment and starvation.

"For too long, this terrible conflict has been neglected, while suffering has simply increased," UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said during a conference in Bahrain.

The emergency funding, which comes on top of PS120 million the UK has pledged to Sudan over a year, will include PS2 million to support survivors of sexual violence in El-Fasher.

"The reports from Darfur in recent days are truly horrifying," said Cooper.

"Atrocities, mass executions, starvation and the devastating use of rape as a weapon of war, with women and children bearing the brunt of the largest humanitarian crisis in the 21st century."

"UK diplomats continue to push all parties to cease hostilities to protect civilians to allow unhindered humanitarian access," the foreign office said in a press release.