The UK has proposed further targeted sanctions against those responsible for atrocities in Darfur, and an extension of the arms embargo to the whole of Sudan. I wrote to EU leaders on 21 March to make the case for this, and Chancellor Merkel and I raised sanctions with EU colleagues at the 25 March Informal Summit. We are now taking forward a UN Security Council Resolution in New York.
The situation in Darfur remains appalling. There are continued attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and the humanitarian agencies. The arms embargo on Darfur continues to be violated. No side is making a serious effort to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict. President Bashir has repeatedly gone back on his government's commitments, in particular with regard to the UN support for African Union peacekeepers and the rapid deployment of a hybrid/ UN force.