Sudan
House of Lords
Written answers and statements, 12 October 2009
Baroness Cox (Crossbench)
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect on southern Sudan of inter-tribal conflicts and access to armaments which may be supplied by the north, and any implications for the elections in 2010; and whether they will make representations to the Government of National Unity to investigate that situation and to ensure that no arms are being made available to parties to any conflict in southern Sudan.
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Minister of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office; Labour)
We are deeply concerned at the escalation in tribal fighting in southern Sudan in recent months. This fighting is having a terrible impact on the ordinary lives of Sudanese and displacing many thousands of people, as well as fostering mistrust and suspicion among communities ahead of planned national elections in 2010 and the 2011 referendum on self-determination.
There are a number of factors which have contributed to the violence, including continuing tensions between tribes and former militias who were on different sides during the north-south civil war, the widespread availability of small arms and the existence of a security vacuum in many parts of the region.
We have urged all parties to do all they can to ensure that the root causes of the violence are addressed. The UK is also providing significant support to the police service of southern Sudan and to community security and arms control programmes.