Sudan (Hansard, 18 June 1999)

§ Mr. Laurence Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan about separatism in south Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [87505]

§ Mr. Hoon
Although we do not currently have British staff permanently in Khartoum, we maintain a regular dialogue with the Government of Sudan on a wide range of issues. The peace process in the Sudan is a priority for us and the issue of separatism arises in that context.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on reported bombing raids in southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [87117]

§ Mr. Hoon
We have recently received reports by NGOs of aerial bombing in southern Sudan by Government of Sudan aircraft.
In Oslo on 25–26 May, the Government of Sudan and the SPLA both confirmed their commitment to maintain the current humanitarian ceasefire in Bahr el Ghazal. We shall continue to press the case for peace in Sudan.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning raids by Arab militia in southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [87116]

§ Mr. Hoon
We have had a number of reports from UN agencies and other NGOs working in the field, of raids conducted by Arab militia groups in southern Sudan.
In Oslo on 25–26 May, the Government of Sudan and the SPLA both confirmed their commitment to the basic humanitarian principles of Operation Lifeline Sudan as well as the need to maintain the current humanitarian ceasefire in Bahr el Ghazal. We shall continue to press the case for peace in Sudan.