Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Department for International Development
RESPONSE TO ISSUES RAISED BY DR BALDO AND
DR SMITH
Q51 and the comments on the lack of enforcement
of a no-fly zone
The Government of Sudan signed the Abuja Security
Protocol on 9 November 2004, which commits it to refrain from
all hostile military flights over Darfur. Under UN Security Council
Resolution 1591, the AU was requested to monitor compliance by
Government of Sudan with this commitment. The AU is currently
looking at ways of improving its investigations.
In June this year commanders of the Sudan Liberation
Army and the Justice and Equality Movement told the Secretary
of State that the Government of Sudan was, up till then, honouring
its commitments and had ceased air attacks. However, the UN Panel
of Experts on Sanctions reported in October the presence of Sudanese
Government attack helicopters in Darfur. Because the Government
had previously reported that these helicopters had been removed
from Darfur, the Panel of Experts believes that their re-introduction
constitutes a violation of Resolution 1591.
We await the final report of the Panel in early
December, but we continue to make clear to both the Government
of Sudan and the rebels that they must abide fully by the commitments
they have made, and the UN Security Council Resolutions on Sudan.
We are calling for renewed Security Council commitment to Darfur
and for the Panel of Experts to name individuals who are responsible
for violations under Resolution 1591.
Dr Baldo's comments in Q51 on whether the delegation
representing the GoS at Abuja is representative of the Government
of National Unity
The next round of talks is due to resume in
Abuja on 21 November. The SPLM have assured us that they will
participate in these as part of the Government of National Unity
delegation. We welcome this, and are pressing them to engage in
good faith and to help reach an early settlement. The SPLM stated
that they would work with the National Congress Party to formulate
a joint strategy for Darfur, which would enable them to attend
as a joint Government of National Unity delegation. We understand
that they have now met to discuss this on a number of occasions
and both parties have said that the SPLM will be part of the Government
of National Unity delegation at the next round of talks.
Q53 and the comparisons with the IGAD process
We continue to work very closely with key international
partners and are in regular contact at a variety of levels to
coordinate our approach and maximise pressure on the parties.
The UK plays a prominent role in the International Partners group
in support of AU mediation at the Abuja talks, which includes
the US, EU, UN, Norway, Canada, France, the Netherlands and others.
We agree that French engagement in Darfur is
important, particularly with regard to the wider relationship
between Chad and Darfur. France plays a significant role both
bilaterally and through the EU and UN Security Council. We maintain
close contact with France both at the talks in Abuja, bilaterally
between capitals, and in Brussels and New York.
The UK hosted a meeting for senior policy makers,
including the US, Norway, EU and France on 1 November to discuss
the long-term strategy for Darfur and Sudan as a whole. We discussed
ways in which we could help support the AU mission, the Abuja
process and implementation of the CPA. On 12 November the UN also
hosted a meeting in Khartoum to continue this discussion. We will
continue to work closely with international partners to maximise
the pressure on the parties to improve the situation in Darfur
and reach a political agreement in Abuja.
November 2005
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