The Duchess of Edinburgh has called for an end to an ongoing war which has left millions of people in need of humanitarian support.
Sophie joined an event in London focused on the impact of the conflict in Sudan which has seen 30 million people need aid.
The roundtable, organised by global children’s charity Plan International UK, took place on the third anniversary of the war starting.
And as she spoke at the event, the Duchess, who is patron of Plan, said ”Sudan is reaping the most horrendous human cost on the planet.”
The Duchess, who has visited the Chad/ Sudan border in 2024, took part in the discussions which were designed to give a voice to the Sudanese people. Sophie heard first hand experiences of the conflict and the impact it is having on girls. It is estimated that around 12 million people in Sudan are at risk of gender based violence. Many girls are losing access to education while the risks of displacement and violence continue.
As she spoke, Sophie reflected on her own conversations with those impacted. She said ”I’ve had the privilege of speaking to women impacted by conflicts from all over the world – but the stories from Sudan are the most harrowing I have ever heard. No human should ever have to encounter such devastation and violence.”
And she made a promise, adding ”we must not forget about Sudan and I will keep raising my voice where and when I can.”
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 when a power struggle began between the country’s army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces. In 2019, the two forces had worked together to oust Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s then ruler. A civilian led government followed but it was replaced in 2021 when the military took power.
However, the leader of the armed forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the leader of the RSF, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, began to disagree and in 2023, fighting broke out after members of the RSF were moved around Sudan in a gesture that the army saw as a threat. The fighting has led to tens of thousands of deaths. The United Nations has described the flight of millions from the country and the plight of those left behind as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
During the roundtable, guests were asked to write a message of solidarity for the people in Sudan and place it on a reflection tree. Sophie’s note read ”peace is the only option. The people of Sudan are not forgotten’.
The CEO of Plan International, Rose Caldwell, said ”As we mark three years since the start of the conflict, millions of children – especially girls – continue to face immense challenges, from disrupted education to increased risk of violence. Despite the scale of this crisis, it remains critically underreported and underfunded. We are honoured by The Duchess of Edinburgh’s continued support in helping to shine a light on Sudan and amplify the voices of young people calling for change.”
The Duchess of Edinburgh spoke to many of those present about their own experiences and then wrote her own powerful message for the reflection tree.
