Britain has said it did not invite Kamil Idris to visit the United Kingdom, in a development seen as a diplomatic setback for the General Abdel Fattah al Burhan-led junta government based in Port Sudan.
The clarification came in a written response from British Foreign Office Undersecretary Chris Allmore to a parliamentary question submitted by Labour MP Annaliese Dodds.
According to the response, Idris’s trip to Britain last month was not organised at the invitation of His Majesty’s Government.
The statement is being interpreted as a sign that London has not changed its position toward al-Burhan, which emerged following Sudan’s military takeover in October 2021.
Idris travelled to London alongside Information Minister Khaled Al-Aysar as part of efforts to strengthen international engagement and reduce diplomatic isolation, according to observers.
The visit, however, ended without any meetings with British government officials, triggering criticism and discussion on social media.
Sudanese activist Hassan al-Hilu, who resides in Britain, said Idris and Al-Aysar entered the country using European passports and did not hold official talks with UK authorities.
He also claimed the Sudanese embassy arranged a small meeting with Sudanese students, seeking to avoid attention over the absence of formal engagements.
In its response to parliament, the British Foreign Office reiterated its position that Sudan’s future should be decided by the Sudanese people.
The ministry said Britain would continue working with a range of stakeholders to support peace efforts, a return to civilian rule and the establishment of a civilian-led government.
