The situation in Sudan is deteriorating fast. And Whitehall is nervous. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has entered a dangerous new phase.
The clashes are no longer confined to Khartoum. They are spreading to key regions. Including those near critical oil infrastructure.
British firms have a stake in those fields. A big one. The Foreign Office is scrambling to assess the risk to personnel.
The embassy in Khartoum has already been partially evacuated. But whispers in the Lobby suggest a full withdrawal is being discussed. That would be a first.
A diplomatic source told me: “We are watching this hour by hour. It is volatile.” The oil angle is what really concentrates minds in Westminster.
BP has a significant presence. So does Shell. If the violence disrupts production, it could hit supplies.
And prices. That is the nightmare scenario for Number 10. The Prime Minister is already facing pressure on the cost of living.
A spike in fuel costs would be toxic. But the immediate concern is safety. British nationals are trapped.
The evacuation options are limited. The RAF is on standby. But they need a window.
And the fighting shows no sign of abating. There are also fears for diplomatic property. Looters have already targeted foreign compounds.
The British embassy is a potential target. Sources say the ambassador is “working flat out” to secure the building. But the militia groups are unpredictable.
The real question is how this ends. The Whitehall view is bleak. No clear winner.
No cease-fire in sight. One veteran diplomat described it as “a slow motion car crash”. For Britain, the stakes are clear: protect the oil, protect the people.
And hope the chaos does not spread further. Labour is already demanding a statement to the House. Expect fireworks tomorrow.
The Foreign Secretary will have to face the Commons. And he will not have good news.
