Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris’s appearance at the Oxford Union on 13 May was met with protest that turned violent, as Sudanese activists accused the society of platforming a military-backed government during the country’s ongoing civil war.
Prior to coming to the Oxford Union, the Prime Minister wrote on X, “I look forward to engaging with students and future leaders on Sudan, the responsibilities of leadership in times of crisis, the importance of international cooperation in building peace, upholding dignity, and supporting pathways to recovery.”
Protesters gathered outside the Union’s gated entrance to object to Idris’s address, chanting slogans such as “freedom, peace and justice” and “civilian governance is the choice of the people” in Arabic.
As the Prime Minister was getting into his car, protesters chanted “shame on you,” after which a security officer for the Prime Minister repeatedly hit a protester.
Following this, there was a larger physical altercation between protesters, what appeared to be the Prime Minister’s security team, and potentially the Prime Minister himself.
The Prime Minister was eventually removed from the crowd’s physical altercation by his security personnel.
Following the protest, Sudan’s Doctors for Human Rights issued a statement condemning what it described as a “violent assault” on Sudanese women and men who had been peacefully protesting in Oxford.
“The parties involved in the war in Sudan have long sought to silence dissenting voices… Now, we see these same violent ideologies… trying to spread intimidation even here in Europe and the United Kingdom.”
In the Trinity termcard, the Union described the Prime Minister as a legal expert and civil servant who is “tasked with maintaining basic services, pursuing economic reconstruction and navigating an exceptionally fragile transition.”
Critics said the invitation risked legitimising Sudan’s army-backed government, which opponents regard as a de facto Port Sudan authority rather than a genuine civilian administration. Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, with fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces driving what the United Nations describes as the world’s “largest displacement crisis” that has left millions facing acute hunger.
The controversy comes amidst Oxford Union backlash for inviting far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson and Laurence Fox for a Week 5 debate titled “This House believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam.”
The University of Oxford has also seen separate institutional developments on free speech. The University approved a revised Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech in February 2026, reflecting duties under the UK government’s Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. It is also running a Sheldonian Series on “free and inclusive speech.”
Kamil Idris and the Oxford Union have been reached for comment.