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Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has cut short a tour of the Pacific due to the deteriorating situation in Sudan. The British High Commission in Wellington said Cleverly made a series of calls from its offices. He left New Zealand a day before meeting his counterpart Nanaia Mahuta, after skipping a planned visit to Samoa to come directly from the Solomon Islands.
"I am very sorry that due to the current situation in Sudan, I had to cut my visit short," Cleverly said in a statement. “I learned a lot about the region, its opportunities and its challenges.
"I spoke to Foreign Minister Mahuta and told her how disappointed I am that I had to leave earlier and we have agreed to reschedule as soon as possible. I am looking forward to coming back soon."
Sudan's army on Thursday ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force, saying it would only accept their surrender if the two sides continued fighting in central Khartoum and other parts of the country.
The High Commissioner said Cleverly will continue to oversee the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's response to the violence in Sudan by providing support to field staff and consular services for British citizens.
Britain has historical ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled Sudan from 1899 until independence in 1956, but Sudan is not part of the 56-nation Commonwealth group.
Downing Street confirmed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Friday to discuss the situation in Sudan.
Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa, sharing a border with Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
A spokesperson for Number 10 said: “President Guelleh provided an update on his talks with the parties in Sudan and both leaders reiterated their calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to talks.
"They agreed that the UK and Djibouti would continue to coordinate their efforts to reduce violence and protect civilians, including our citizens."
PA wire
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