§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in conjunction with the Governments of the United States and Norway, they are discussing with the Government of the Sudan methods for preventing breaches of the current ceasefire, and in particular the necessary clearances for flights by the Verification and Monitoring Team. [HL2846]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:On 7 April the Government of Sudan lifted flight restrictions imposed on the Civilian Protection Monitoring Team in March. On 7 April the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Special Envoy announced that the Verification Monitoring Team's (VMT) mission to Bentiu had been suspended. This followed concerns expressed by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army about the tasking of the VMT. The IGAD Special Envoy has now proposed a compromise position which we hope will be acceptable to both parties. We continue to work with the US, Norway and the mediators to ensure the operationalisation of the VMT as soon as possible.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Sudan Verification and Monitoring Team will be able to investigate outbreaks of violence in Darfur province. [HL2847]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cessation 144WA of hostilities between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement does not extend to the conflict in Darfur.