To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have pledged troops to the UNAMID peacekeeping operation in Darfur; and how many troops each has pledged. (164101)

The African Union (AU)-UN hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur (UNAMID), mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1769 of 31 July 2007, will consist of approximately 19,500 troops and a 6,500-strong civilian police component. The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has the task of generating the force in consultation with the AU. This particular force generation is complex and requires multilateral negotiations with potential contributing countries. The UN Secretary-General, in his report on UNAMID deployment of 5 November 2007, noted that the DPKO has received contributions from a number of countries to cover most of the military capabilities required for UNAMID, but critical shortfalls on helicopters and ground transport remain. The DPKO is now conducting pre-deployment assessments before confirming final troop contributions. We are pressing the DPKO, the AU and the Government of Sudan for the prompt and effective deployment of the UNAMID force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission tasked with monitoring and enforcing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan. (166361)

The Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) has made progress as a forum for dialogue on issues of contention between the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). It published on 3 November the Factual Report on the Status of the CPA Implementation and has opened offices in both Khartoum and Juba. The AEC's effectiveness is ultimately dependent on the National Congress Party and Sudan People's Liberation Movement's willingness to co-operate. The recent political impasse within the Government of National Unity over delays in implementing the CPA demonstrates their difficulties in reaching consensus on key CPA issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) financial support, (b) personnel and (c) equipment his Department has provided to the Assessment and Evaluation Commission tasked with monitoring and enforcing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan. (166362)

At present, we do not provide financial support or equipment to the Assessment and Evaluation Committee (AEC)—most support is provided by the US and Norway. However, representatives from our embassy in Khartoum attend AEC plenary meetings, and currently chair the AEC’s security sub-committee.