Sudan (Hansard, 17 November 2003)

§ John Barrett
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the peace process between the Government of Sudan and the Darfur rebel group. [136764]

§ Mr. Mullin
There has been a joint communiqué by the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)agreeing to return to Abeche in one month to discuss the political and wealth sharing annexes. The parties have also reached agreement on humanitarian access, which will be under the supervision of the Humanitarian Aid Commission, with the Tri-Partite Committee (GoS, Government of Chad and the SLM) being informed of developments.
We are not directly involved in the Abeche talks and it is difficult at this stage to make an assessment of progress. There have been allegations that the GoS have resumed military activities near SLM areas, and some indication that the SLM are disappointed that some of their proposals have been rejected.
However, we remain hopeful that both parties will adhere to the terms of the communiqué and resume the talks on time.

§ Angus Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the main points were of the ceasefire agreement of 15 October 2002 between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army; what assessment his Department has made of the Sudanese bombings in Darfur on 2 November and their impact on the on-going negotiations in that region; and if he will make a statement. [136905]

§ Mr. Mullin
The main points of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cessation of Hostilities signed on 15 October 2002 in Kenya between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) are as followsthe parties agree to create and maintain a conducive atmosphere throughout the negotiations; to cease hostilities in all areas and ensure military stand down for all forces; to freeze media wars and allow unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas.
The negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) in Chad, with the Chadian Government as mediators, are 661W separate. We are aware of reports that the Government of Sudan have resumed military activities close to Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) areas. The Government of Sudan has stated that it had bombed areas controlled by other militias who rejected the cease-fire. We are seeking corroboration of the reports including by visits by members of our embassy to the area.
The parties have now signed a joint communiqué resolving to meet in one month to discuss the political and wealth sharing annexes of the draft agreement. There has also been agreement on humanitarian access. We view these as positive steps.

§ Angus Robertson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the progress made in negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army since the signing of the ceasefire agreement of 15 October 2002; what help his Department has(a) offered and (b) delivered to facilitate the process; and if he will make a statement. [136906]

§ Mr. Mullin
The Memorandum of Understanding on Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army has continued to hold. The parties have made substantial progress in the past year. A Framework Agreement on Security Arrangements during the Interim Period, signed on 25 September 2003, is a further indication of the commitment of both parties to peace. The talks have adjourned for Ramadan and will resume on 30 November. We remain hopeful that a comprehensive peace agreement will be signed in the new year.
The UK observer team has consisted of an official based in Nairobi who can attend every session of the talks and handle local co-ordination between sessions, and the UK Special Representative for Sudan and the Head of the joint FCO/DFID Sudan Unit from London. In addition to financial contributions to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Government have provided experts on legal and security issues. We also contribute funding and personnel to the missions monitoring the agreements already reached.