Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 March 2010. It was answered by Chris Bryant (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with (a) the Westminster Foundation, (b) the Interparliamentary Union and (c) other international bodies the funding of opposition parties in Sudan prior to the forthcoming election and referendum in that country.

Answer: Under The Sudanese National Elections Act 2008, political parties cannot finance their campaign activities through any financial and material support, donations or other means of support from foreign countries or any foreign body. It is for the National Elections Commission to disperse Government of National Unity funds to opposition parties. The UK does however provide funding to the UN Development Programme Strategic Partnership Fund which has supported political parties' training and capacity development.

Secondary information