Vol. 397 No. 5
78 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the information he has concerning the on-going war situation in Sudan; and whether, as President of the European Council of Foreign Ministers, he will play a role in attempting to bring about peace in that country where the lives of thousands of people are put at risk from malnutrition because of the war.
Conflicting reports from Government and opposition sources as to recent military gains make an accurate assessment of the current situation extremely difficult.
Fighting, since the resumption last November of hostilities in the south, has been concentrated in two main regions — Western Equatoria and the Upper Nile. The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) has launched several attacks on Government army convoys and has claimed to have captured a number of army garrison posts both in the southern border region (Torit, Yei, Nimule) and in Western Equatoria (Amadi, Wau). Earlier this year SPLA forces were reported to have penetrated further north to within reach of the town of Marakal, about 800 km from Khartoum, but according to Government sources in mid-March the attack on the town has been repulsed.
The southern capital of Juba came under SPLA attack in December but following Government action earlier this year the threat to the city now appears to have receded. In January, the Government allowed the resumption of relief flights to Juba and other cities, such as Wau and Malakal, despite threats by the SPLA to shoot down any unapproved flights.
Ireland, together with its partners in the Twelve, has repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to the conflict in Sudan to resume efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of the civil war. Under Ireland's Presidency of the European Community, Foreign Ministers of the Twelve, renewed this appeal in their statement of 20 February and called once again for all necessary steps to be taken to launch Phase II of the successful operation lifeline Sudan relief programme, which aims to bring much needed relief to those suffering the devastating effects of the war. We will continue with our European partners to promote the cause of peace in Sudan.
79 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the aid which Ireland is making available in 1990 to the people of Sudan.
The main ways in which bilateral aid can be made available to the Sudan are the bilateral aid programme, the disaster relief fund and the Agency for Personal Service Overseas.
The bilateral aid programme (BAP) is the major source of Irish assistance to the Sudan. Budgetary provision is being made for expenditure of £610,000 in the Sudan in 1990. This represents a significant increase on the actual expenditure of £345,200 in 1989.
It is not possible at this stage to anticipate what disaster relief assistance, if any, will be provided in 1990 but the situation in the Sudan is being monitored on a continuous basis. Expenditure under disaster relief for 1989 amounted to £375,000.
The Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) fund a number of assignees in the Sudan and expenditure in 1990 is estimated at £108,000.
