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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dave Burke

Foreign Secretary rushes back to UK from Pacific tour after hundreds killed in Sudan

James Cleverly is rushing back to the UK after cutting short a tour of the Pacific due to the unfolding crisis in Sudan.

The Foreign Secretary departed New Zealand overnight, a day before he was due to meet his counterpart Nanaia Mahuta.

He had already skipped a planned visit to Samoa.

It comes amid growing alarm over the devastating conflict unfolding in Sudan. At least 330 people have been killed and 3,300 wounded in the fighting since it began on Saturday, the World Health Organisation said.

But the toll is likely higher because many bodies lie uncollected in the streets.

"It's with real regret that due to the ongoing situation in Sudan I've had to cut the visit short," Mr Cleverly said in a statement.

Clashes in Khartoum have claimed hundreds of lives since the weekend (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"I've learned a lot about the region, its opportunities and challenges.

"I've spoken to Foreign Minister Mahuta and told her how disappointed I am to have had to leave early and we've agreed we'll reschedule as soon as we can. I'm very much looking forward to coming back soon."

The decision came amid growing alarm over the situation in Sudan.

Former Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was heavily criticised for not returning from holiday before the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021.

Sudan's military ruled out negotiations with a rival paramilitary force yesterday, saying it would only accept its surrender as the two sides continued to battle in central Khartoum and other parts of the country.

The High Commission said Mr Cleverly will continue overseeing the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office response to the violence in Sudan by providing support to staff on the ground and consular services for British nationals.

Britain has colonial ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled the country from 1899 until it gained independence in 1956.

But Sudan is not among the group of 56 Commonwealth nations.

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