Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Thursday, 6 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 December 2007. It was answered by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Thursday, 13 December 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Sudan: Peace Negotiations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of progress made by the Southern Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission in facilitating South-South dialogue.

Answer: We understand the work of the Southern Sudan Peace Commission (SSPC) has stalled since the Sudanese Peoples' Liberation Movement's (SPLM) withdrawal from the Government of National Unity.The UK is urging the SPLM and National Congress Party to resolve their differences about the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Renewed and accelerated CPA implementation is essential for stability and peace in the whole of Sudan.We are pressing all sides to speed up the reconciliation process and to resolve all outstanding CPA-related issues. The UK is discussing a support programme for reconciliation and community security in the south, which would include support to the SSPC.

Secondary information