§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Government's policy in respect of the political charter concluded in April 1996 between the Government of Sudan and the southern Sudanese factions. [39026]
§ Mr. HanleyThe charter contains positive elements. However, the largest southern Sudanese faction, the Sudan People's Liberation Army—SPLA—is not a party to it. It is not yet clear if the charter is a serious peace initiative.
We urge all parties to pursue peace through negotiation. It is time for the Sudanese Government and the SPLA each to test the professed readiness of the other for peace. A monitored ceasefire, allowing unconditional delivery of humanitarian aid, would be an excellent start.