An international conference rallies aid for Sudan after 2 years of civil war, but peace is elusive

LONDON (AP) — Britain and the European Union pledged hundreds of millions of dollars Tuesday to ease suffering in Sudan, on the second anniversary of a civil war that has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 14 million and pushed large parts of the country into famine.

But a conference in London failed to produce a diplomatic breakthrough to end what the United Nations calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

The African Union, which co-hosted the conference with Britain, France, Germany and the EU, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. But U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy acknowledged that achieving peace would take time, renewed international effort and “patient diplomacy.”

Diplomats expressed hope before the meeting of forming an international group to try to spearhead talks on ending the war. But the conference produced no communique signed by all members, just a final statement from the host countries and organizations.

The statement made no mention of any coordinating group, but said that “neighboring states are directly affected by the conflict in Sudan and those present supported efforts to find a solution.”

The conference hosts said participants had committed more than 813 million pounds (more than $1 billion) for Sudan and its neighbors this year. That includes 522 million euros ($590 million) from the EU and its member states and 120 million pounds ($158 million) from the U.K.

Avaaz, a group that campaigns against conflict and poverty, said the conference had been “a damp squib.”

“David Lammy promised Sudan would not be forgotten. Today was a test of that commitment — and of the foreign secretary he intends to be, especially in the absence of U.S. leadership. He failed dismally,” said Will Davies, head of Avaaz’s Sudan team.

Attendees included officials from Western nations, international institutions and neighboring countries, but no one from Sudan. Neither the Sudanese military nor the rival paramilitary it is fighting was invited.

Sudan plunged into war on April 15, 2023, after simmering tensions between the Sudanese military and a paramilitary organization known as the Rapid Support Forces. Fighting broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread across the country, killing at least 20,000 people, though the number is likely far higher.

Last month the Sudanese military regained control over Khartoum, a major symbolic victory in the war. But the RSF still controls most of the western region of Darfur and some other areas.

More than 300 civilians were killed in a burst of fighting in Darfur on Friday and Saturday, according to the U.N.

More than 3 million people have fled to neighboring countries including Chad and Egypt. Both sides in the war have been accused of committing war crimes.

The World Food Program says nearly 25 million people — half of Sudan’s population — face extreme hunger.

Aid agency Oxfam said the humanitarian catastrophe risks becoming a regional crisis, with fighting spilling into neighboring countries. It said that in South Sudan, itself wracked by recent war, the arrival of refugees has put more pressure on already scarce resources, “which is deepening local tensions and threatening the fragile peace.”

Lammy told delegates that “many have given up on Sudan,” concluding that continued conflict is inevitable. He said a lack of political will is the biggest obstacle to peace.

The U.K. and other Western countries have limited power to stop the fighting. More influence rests with regional powers such as Egypt, which has longstanding ties to the Sudanese army, and the United Arab Emirates, which has been accused of arming the RSF. The UAE has has denied that, despite evidence to the contrary.

Sudan’s government criticized conference organizers for excluding it from the meeting while inviting the UAE.

Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE foreign ministry’s assistant minister for political affairs, said both sides were committing atrocities, and urged combatants to “halt the deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers and the indiscriminate shelling of schools, markets, and hospitals.”

The U.S.was represented at the conference, though the Trump administration has cut almost all overseas aid programs. Britain also has cut its aid budget from 0.5% of gross domestic product to 0.3% to fund an increase in military spending. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said Sudan, along with Ukraine and Gaza, will remain a priority for British aid.

Associated Press writers Fatma Khaled in Cairo, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.

Bankole Adeoye, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner for the African Union, attends the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

Redwan Hussein, Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service of Ethiopia, attends the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, attends the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

Bankole Adeoye, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner for the African Union, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy attend the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

Bankole Adeoye, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner for the African Union, center, attends the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

Bankole Adeoye, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner for the African Union, attends the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

Bankole Adeoye, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner for the African Union, left, and Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy attend the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivers opening remarks during the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy delivers opening remarks during the London Sudan conference at Lancaster House in London, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as an ongoing crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths.

Trump said late Sunday that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports mount of increasing deaths and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Iran did not acknowledge Trump’s comments immediately. It has previously warned the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran, gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran cross checking information. It said at least 544 people have been killed so far, including 496 protesters and 48 people from the security forces. It said more than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.

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A witness told the AP that the streets of Tehran empty at the sunset call to prayers each night.

Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: “Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers.”

Another text, addressed “Dear parents,” which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations.

The witness spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown.

—- By Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Iran drew tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to the streets Monday in a show of power after nationwide protests challenging the country’s theocracy.

Iranian state television showed images of demonstrators thronging Tehran toward Enghelab Square in the capital.

It called the demonstration an “Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism,” without addressing the underlying anger in the country over the nation’s ailing economy. That sparked the protests over two weeks ago.

State television aired images of such demonstrations around the country, trying to signal it had overcome the protests, as claimed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier in the day.

China says it opposes the use of force in international relations and expressed hope the Iranian government and people are “able to overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that Beijing “always opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs, maintains that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned “in the strongest terms the violence that the leadership in Iran is directing against its own people.”

He said it was a sign of weakness rather than strength, adding that “this violence must end.”

Merz said during a visit to India that the demonstrators deserve “the greatest respect” for the courage with which “they are resisting the disproportional, brutal violence of Iranian security forces.”

He said: “I call on the Iranian leadership to protect its population rather than threatening it.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday suggested that a channel remained open with the United States.

Esmail Baghaei made the comment during a news conference in Tehran.

“It is open and whenever needed, through that channel, the necessary messages are exchanged,” he said.

However, Baghaei said such talks needed to be “based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation.”

The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran, which is close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on Monday began calling out Iranian celebrities and leaders on social media who have expressed support for the protests over the past two weeks, especially before the internet was shut down.

The threat comes as writers and other cultural leaders were targeted even before protests. The news agency highlighted specific celebrities who posted in solidarity with the protesters and scolded them for not condemning vandalism and destruction to public property or the deaths of security forces killed during clashes. The news agency accused those celebrities and leaders of inciting riots by expressing their support.

Canada said it “stands with the brave people of Iran” in a statement on social media that strongly condemned the killing of protesters during widespread protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks.

“The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens,” Canada’s government said on Monday.

Iran’s foreign minister claimed Monday that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Iran’s foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists -- the vast majority coming from demonstrators.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London.

Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about “certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism.” The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBC’s Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran.

A huge crowd of demonstrators, some waving the flag of Iran, gathered Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian government. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by early evening only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with the the demonstrators, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver. A police statement said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt.

The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained “pending further investigation,” police said in a statement Sunday evening.

Shiite Muslims hold placards and chant slogans during a protest against the U.S. and show solidarity with Iran in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Activists carrying a photograph of Reza Pahlavi take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Activists take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protesters burn the Iranian national flag during a rally in support of the nationwide mass demonstrations in Iran against the government in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)