UK senior official to visit Sudan

LONDON, Sept 13, 2004 (Xinhua) — A senior British minister is to visit Sudan between 14 to 19 September to study the humanitarian and political circumstances there, following a recent visit by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

“This will be my first visit to Sudan. I intend to look in depth at the humanitarian and political situation in Darfur, the south and the Nuba Mountains,” Chris Mullin, Minister for Africa, said in an official press release on Monday.

During his visit, Mullin is due to meet the Government of Sudan, leaders of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), UN Special Representative Jan Pronk and cease-fire observers in Darfur and Nuba, the release said.

“When I travel to the Nuba Mountains I will emphasize the need for the Sudanese government and SPLM to resume the Naivasha Peace Process,” Mullin said, adding “This is vital for the establishment of a democratic, peaceful and prosperous Sudan.”

The minister said he would reinforce the messages that the Foreign Secretary gave to the Sudanese government during his visit in late August, including the need to improve security in Darfur and to continue to improve access for humanitarian agencies working to feed displaced people in the region.