§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the objectives of the Minister of State's four day mission to discuss issues affecting Sudan. [50944]
§ Mr. FatchettThe reports of the suffering in southern Sudan shocked us all. I have just returned from Nairobi and Khartoum, where my objective was to bring about a break in the fighting in southern Sudan. A temporary truce in the most hunger-affected areas will be essential if the Sudanese people are to be able to start rebuilding their lives.
I am pleased to be able to say that the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), have agreed to a 3 month ceasefire in Bahr al Ghazal. This is encouraging news for the people of southern Sudan. I hope that we can now build on this important step and work together with IGAD for a wider peace.