Declaration by delegates to the Sudan Solidarity Conference 2023
Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London – Saturday 30 September

This conflict has brought together trade unionists and activists from Sudan and Britain to demand an end to the war which is tearing Sudan apart. We are united in sorrow and anger at the damage done to the lives of millions by the actions of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The health and education systems, the country’s fragile infrastructure, and cultural heritage institutions have been destroyed. 

The United States, the European Union, Russia, and the British government have played a significant role in this conflict by arming the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel. Both sides of the war have received military support from these countries, making the international community complicit in this devastating conflict. 

We stand in solidarity with the struggle for democracy and civilian rule. The revolution which erupted in 2018 was an inspiration to millions around the world, as it showed how ordinary people could bring down a corrupt dictator through mass strikes and protests. We urge trade unionists and activists to support the efforts of Sudan’s resistance committees, trade unions, demand-based campaigns and other popular revolutionary forces to continue that struggle to rebuild Sudan. 

We condemn the shameful record of the British government in relation to Sudanese refugees, and call for the establishment of the same scale of support for people fleeing war in Sudan as was extended to those fleeing the devastating conflict in Ukraine, including a Sudan Family Visa scheme. We express our solidarity with all refugees and migrants whether they are looking for safety because of war, climate change or poverty and reject the toxic, racist rhetoric of Conservative ministers such as Home Secretary Suella Braverman. 

We urge support for the Stand up to Racism conference: ‘Resisting the rise of racism and fascism’ on 21 October which is backed by the Trades Union Congress. 

We pledge to mobilise in solidarity with calls by Sudanese organisations for protests to mark the anniversary of the military coup on 25 October 2021. 

We will continue to work together for the goals of the conference to: 

• Stop the war in Sudan
• Build solidarity against racism and defend refugees and migrants
• Expose the crimes committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces 
• Demand that the British government and other foreign powers stop fuelling the conflict through arms sales, funding and diplomatic support

The Sudan Solidarity conference brought together trade unionists and activists from Sudan, Britain and beyond for a day of meetings and workshops to discuss anti-war and anti-racist organisation.

Supported with donations from UCU, PCS, ASLEF , MENA Solidarity, UCU London Region, Portsmouth City UNISON branch.

We thank the National Education Union (NEU) for the use of conference facilities at Hamilton House.

We thank Unite Community Portsmouth and District Branch, Stand Up To Racism, University of Khartoum Alumni Association in UK and Ireland, Sudanese Engineers Union in UK and Ireland, Sudanese Lawyers Democratic Front, Sudanese Journalist Forum in UK, Sudan Doctors Union – UK, Sudan Uprising Support Group (Edinburgh/ Glasgow), Alliance of Demand-Based Campaigns (TAM), Sudanese Teachers Committee for their help in publicising the event.

A more detailed conference report will be published on the website and distributed to participants in the next few weeks along with videos and documents and proposals for campaigns

Opening plenary: The war in Sudan and its international context 

The war’s eruption in April 2023 follows a military coup in October 2021 and a long struggle for democracy through the popular revolution which began in 2018. What role have external powers, including the British government, played in this crisis?

Chairs: Rania Amin (Sudan Uprising Support group) Anne Alexander (MENA Solidarity)

Speakers:

• Louise Regan (National Executive member, NEU) 
• Alaa Galgal (Sudanese Engineers Union)
• A message of support from John McDonnell MP
• Rania Amin (Sudan Uprising Support group)
• A message from Al Sadiq Ali Hassan (Director of the Sudan Institute for Democracy, Acting Chairman of the Darfur Bar Association Board of Trustees) 
• Othaylat Suliman (Chairperson, Sudanese Journalists Forum – UK)

Workshop 1 Safe passage now – refugees and migrants welcome 

Reports on the campaign for safe and legal routes for those fleeing war in Sudan including refugees and those seeking temporary protection. Building support for the parliamentary petition calling for a Family Visa Scheme for Sudan

Chair: Naima Omar (Stand up to Racism)

Speakers:

• Wafaa Salim (University of Khartoum Alumni Association – UK and Ireland)
• Veronika Adam Svarcova (Refugee campaigner)
• Hector Wesley (PCS National Executive Committee member)

Workshop 2 Health services on the frontline

The health system is under attack from both generals while the war is having a devastating physical and psychological impact. What can we learn from emergency organising by resistance committees and unions to provide health care and support health infrastructure? 

Chair: Anna Livingstone (Barts Health / Doctors in Unite)

Speakers: 

• Sarah Richard (Academic Secretary, Sudan Doctors Union UK) 
• Alaa Gilgal / Tarig Ahmed (Sudanese Engineers Union)

Workshop 3: Education and cultural heritage under fire

What has been the effect of the war on education (universities and schools) and how have cultural heritage institutions been impacted? Educators and cultural heritage sector workers share their perspectives.

Chair: Una Doyle (Camden NEU) 

Speakers: 

• Dr. Abdel Mutaal Girshab (Former Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Gezira) 
• Report from Sudanese Teachers’ Committee – by video
• Ismail Hamid (Sudan Heritage Protection Initiative)

Closing plenary: Organising against war, building anti-racist solidarity 

How can Sudanese activists work with trade unions and the anti-racist and refugee solidarity movements in Britain to build a stronger solidarity campaign?

Chairs: Louise Regan (NEU) / Fatima Rushwan (Sudan Uprising Support group) 

Speakers:

• Workshop report backs (15 mins total) 
• Justine Mercer (President, UCU)
• Mohaned Elnour (Sudanese Lawyers Democratic Front)
• Naima Omar (Stand up to Racism)
• Khalid Sidahmed (MENA Solidarity)