§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her recent visit to the Sudan; and what recent 599W discussions she has had with the Sudanese authorities on the implementation of a strategy for peace in that country. [27342]
§ Clare ShortI visited Sudan from 6–11 January and discussed the possibility of taking forward the peace process with the full range of Sudanese political leaders, north and south. I concluded that the time was right for a major international effort to help the parties resolve Africa's most costly and longest running civil conflict. All whom I met expressed their strong commitment to progress on peace, agreed that there was a window of opportunity and expressed their willingness to engage in negotiations. But all doubted they would succeed, given the legacy of mistrust, without outside help, which they thought should include major UK input. I confirmed that we stood ready to play our part. I also emphasised the potential economic benefits for all, and UK readiness to engage in development if stability can be achieved.