We have had extensive contacts with the Government of Sudan to discuss the situation in Darfur, including the issue of fighting in West Darfur between Government and rebel forces. My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development, in a joint statement of 27 February, noted the dangerous wider consequences of such conflict and called for an immediate end to fighting. We have delivered the same message, and emphasised the Government of Sudan's responsibility to protect civilians, in other contacts including by my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, during his visit to Sudan on 28 to 31 January, in subsequent talks in Khartoum through our ambassador, and with EU partners at the 18 February General Affairs and External Relations Council. We continue to urge all parties including rebel movements to commit themselves to a ceasefire and engage fully in a political process aimed at establishing a lasting peace in Darfur.
My noble Friend the Minister responsible for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, discussed progress on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), including instability in Abyei, with the President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir, in Juba on 29 January, and subsequently with Sudanese leaders, including President Bashir, in Khartoum and Addis Ababa later that week. We continue to raise these issues in contacts with northern and southern Sudanese leaders. Sir Derek Plumbly will pursue all aspects of CPA implementation in his role as Chair of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission for the CPA.