§ 18. Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions Her Majesty's Government have taken in relation to reconvening the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development peace talks on Sudan. [12360]
§ Mr. HanleyBritain has joined the friends of IGADD, who are working to support its peace initiative. The friends of IGADD—composed of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Italy and Norway—have offered various forms of support, including financial support.
§ Mr. PikeDoes the Minister recognise that the two main factors that have failed to ensure that peace is achieved in Sudan are the overwhelming poverty in southern Sudan and the allegations of human rights atrocities by the northern Sudanese? Will we do everything to ensure that progress can be made on those two fronts so that we can see genuine peace and democracy in Sudan?
§ Mr. HanleyI am aware of the facts to which the hon. Gentleman has referred. We continue to be deeply concerned about the appalling human rights record in Sudan and, with our partners in IGADD, we will continue to do whatever we can to help.