Lord Rook (Lab)

I am grateful to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Leeds for his tireless leadership on Sudan and for raising this debate. I first met him in a draughty circus tent at a Butlin’s holiday camp. I hasten to assure noble Lords that neither of us was employed as a redcoat; we were speakers at a conference. From that very day his powerful commitment to justice in domestic and foreign affairs has been evident. It says a great deal about the right reverend Prelate that he has chosen to host his final debate in your Lordships’ House on this subject and that he has decided against the traditional valedictory speech so as not to distract from the subject at hand and the needs of the people of Sudan. Despite this, I am sure that all noble Lords would want me to pass on our gratitude for the right reverend Prelate’s contribution over many years and for his ministry—spiritual, political, practical and personal—which has been a blessing to us all. The right reverend Prelate warned this House in 2024 that Sudan is far more than two generals having a scrap. His description of a forgotten war with no winners has proved tragically accurate. Sudan is now the largest humanitarian crisis on record, with millions displaced and famine taken hold in El Fasher, Kadugli and beyond. The atrocities in El Fasher, including hundreds killed recently in an attack on a hospital, show how civilians are being deliberately targeted, while neighbouring states already in deep crises shelter more than a million who are fleeing the violence. I acknowledge His Majesty’s Government’s efforts: the 2024 London conference, subsequent ministerial meetings and the UK’s leadership at the UN Security Council. However, international focus is slipping. The absence of a contact group for ceasefire talks was a missed opportunity. The UK, working with the Quad and regional actors, can still lead the diplomatic effort that is needed to restore momentum toward peace. The right reverend Prelate has often reminded this House of the essential role of local actors. In moments of emergency, churches, faith groups, youth groups, women’s organisations and grass-roots institutions are often the first and sometimes the only responders to the many crises and atrocities. Supporting these heroic institutions through genuinely locally led funding and holding intermediaries accountable for strengthening and building local capacity must be central to UK policy. To this end, I urge His Majesty’s Government to consider the role of strategic religious diplomacy in waging peace, to borrow a phrase from Justin Welby. Faith leaders in Sudan retain moral authority when political structures are fractured. We have seen the impact of such diplomacy in South Sudan, Mozambique and the Central African Republic. Sudan’s churches and mosques are indispensable partners for any credible peace strategy. I thank the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Leeds for speaking up once again for the voiceless. While he will be deeply missed in this House, as he has made clear, he will continue to champion the people of Sudan and fight for peace in that land. As a follower of the prince of peace, this is not just his work but his calling. It does not end at retirement. With Advent approaching, we wish him a very happy Christmas and a very peaceful retirement in every possible way.