Asked by: Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what role they have taken since 2011, and are now taking, to resolve the conflict in South Sudan.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK has, and continues to maintain, a prominent role in the peace process in South Sudan. Since conflict broke out in 2013 we, along with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and our Troika (US and Norway) partners, have provided substantial political, technical and financial support to both the peace talks and the implementation of the August peace agreement.
Following the latest outbreak of violence in Juba, our immediate efforts are focused on the stabilisation of the country. We remain firmly committed to the people of South Sudan and call on the leaders to re-establish the peace process as soon as possible.
Asked by: Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the political situation in South Sudan in the light of inter-tribal conflict between supporters of President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Following recent fighting, the political situation in South Sudan remains tense. We continue to call on the leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the peace agreement and re-establish the peace process as soon as possible.
Asked by: Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, as part of the troika, to persuade opposition movements in Sudan to sign the African Union’s Roadmap for Peace, and to encourage the government of Sudan’s commitment to it.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Together with our Troika partners, we issued a statement on 27 May supporting the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel. We welcome the Sudanese Government’s signing of the roadmap agreement and continue to urge the opposition to do the same. The UK’s Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan and our Ambassador in Khartoum are in regular contact with the government and opposition groups.
Asked by: Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure a positive and constructive role for Sudan as part of the Khartoum Process.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK is engaging with the Sudanese Government to tackle the full range of migration issues. As part of the Khartoum Process, we are discussing the challenges faced by all countries in the region, including the Sudan, and we welcome the constructive contribution they have made so far, in particular in hosting a meeting on smuggling and trafficking in May.
Asked by: Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the ceasefire declarations by the government of Sudan and the rebel movements in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We welcome the Sudanese Government’s announcement of a cessation of hostilities for the Two Areas last month, and the opposition’s announcement in April. We are aware of recent allegations of breaches and our Ambassador in Khartoum raised this issue with the Chief of Staff for the Sudanese Armed Forces on 18 July who reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the cessation of hostilities. We continue to call on all sides to ensure the declarations are respected and allow full humanitarian access.
Asked by: Lord Sheikh (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the positive contributions made by Sudan, particularly in regard to combatting terrorism and radicalisation.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
As part of the strategic dialogue with Sudan, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Africa Director Neil Wigan visited Khartoum in March to discuss a range of issues, including tackling extremism. We welcome the Sudanese Government's interest in cooperating on such issues of mutual concern.