Gareth Thomas MP, Minister of State at the UK Department for International Development (DFID) visited Sudan on 14-15 October. During his visit, Mr Thomas met Sudanese Ministers and senior officials in Khartoum and Juba. He called for urgent progress to keep the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on track, particularly on the issues of the census and the referendum. He also emphasized the importance of addressing the crisis in Darfur, and the need for free and fair elections to proceed as planned in 2010.

During his visit, Mr Thomas said: "I am pleased to be in Sudan at such a historically important time for the country. There are many challenges ahead, and the UK will do what it can to help Sudan deliver the peaceful and prosperous future that all its citizens deserve.”

The UK development budget for Sudan is £115 million for 2009/10, rising to £140 million in 2010/2011, making it the second largest bilateral donor  to Sudan.

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