§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who is currently in charge of the verification and monitoring team (VMT) in Sudan; and what response the VMT is making to recent reports of helicopter gunship deployment by the Government of Sudan to Eastern Upper Nile. [HL3560]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Special Envoy, Lt-General Sumbeiywo, is in charge of the verification and monitoring team (VMT). The VMT is investigating an alleged breach of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cessation of hostilities in the Mading area in Eastern Upper Nile on 3 June. The MoU Channel of Communications Committee has been briefed on the status of current investigations but at this stage the VMT's findings remain confidential to Lt-General Sumbeiywo.
§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they will take if reports of helicopter gunship deployment by the Government of Sudan to Eastern Upper Nile are verified. [HL3561]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe will await the outcome of the verification and monitoring team's final report into the alleged incident in Mading in Eastern Upper Nile on 3 June before considering what response we may make. I will write to the noble Baroness once I have seen this report.