Tag: Lord Sheikh

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-14.

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.

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.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-14.

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.

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.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-14.

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.

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.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the government of Sudan’s attitude and approach towards the conflict in South Sudan, and whether it will contribute to peace and stability in South Sudan.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The Government of Sudan played a constructive role in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development peace process in South Sudan and the recent meeting of regional Foreign Ministers on 11 July in Nairobi. We are working closely with all regional countries to end the violence in South Sudan.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what humanitarian support and assistance they have (1) provided, and (2) plan to provide, for South Sudanese refugees in Sudan.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Since 2014, DFID Sudan has provided £10.4 million to address the humanitarian needs of South Sudanese refugees arriving in Sudan. The assistance has been in the areas of emergency food distribution, water and sanitation, education, and protection activities in the areas of White Nile State and Kordofan states. We are currently discussing with humanitarian partners in Sudan further contributions of approximately £3 million to be disbursed in the coming months.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide further support if required.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the agreement between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan and the World Food Programme to transport humanitarian assistance to South Sudan via Sudan, in the light of that agreement’s extension.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

On the basis of an agreement between the World Food Programme (WFP) and the governments of Sudan and South Sudan, the WFP have been working with relevant government authorities in both countries and the region to ensure that their planes are able to deliver much needed humanitarian supplies into South Sudan. For instance, from January to June 2016 alone WFP managed to deliver close to 21,300 metric tons of cereals, pulses and vegetable oil to Upper Nile state. With the six-month extension to this agreement, WFP plans to deliver another 10,000 metric tons of food from Sudan to South Sudan. This represents a pragmatic approach to delivering vital humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict in South Sudan, and we welcome the support of the Government of Sudan in facilitating the delivery of food assistance across the border.

DFID Sudan and DFID South Sudan are monitoring the situation in relation to the ongoing crisis in South Sudan, and will keep working closely with WFP to help maintain essential transport corridors for humanitarian assistance.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the visit by the US’s Special Envoy for Sudan, Donald Booth, to Sudan in June, and of any lessons that could be learnt from that visit for UK–Sudan relations.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The UK continues to work closely with its Troika partners the US and Norway. The visit by the US’s Special Envoy to Sudan underlines the benefits of the ongoing strategic dialogue between the UK and the Government of Sudan, which allows us to raise issues of concern directly with the Government of Sudan.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the efforts by the government of Sudan to prevent the influence in Sudan of groups such as Daesh, Boko Haram, and Al Shabaab.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Sudan has an important role in tackling the threat of the various extremist groups that operate in region. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Africa Director discussed countering extremism with the Government of Sudan during his visit to Khartoum in March, and we are encouraging them to play a constructive role.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to promote stronger educational and cultural links between the UK and Sudan.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The British Council already has a number of projects in Sudan which aim to strengthen cultural and educational relations. They have over 200 partner schools, engage with over 250,000 people in a national English teacher training programme and have provided English language training to 500 leading journalists. Sudan has also been added as a priority country for the British Council’s new £30m Cultural Protection Fund, and the British Council office in Khartoum is in discussion with a range of partners to develop proposals. Our Embassy in Khartoum also oversees the Chevening scholarship programme for highly talented Sudanese with leadership potential to pursue masters degrees in the UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Sheikh on 2016-07-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the UK–Sudan strategic dialogue initiated in March represents a change of approach in foreign policy towards Sudan, and whether that dialogue will continue.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Our objectives in Sudan have not changed. The British Government continues to work with its partners to end the conflicts, improve the serious humanitarian and human rights situation and tackle migration. The launch of the strategic dialogue underlines our commitment to discuss these and other issues with the Government of Sudan.