Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the announcement by Field Marshal Bashir, President of Sudan, that he intends to seek changes to the constitution to enable him to remain in office.

The UK Government notes the recent announcement by the Sudanese National Congress Party (NCP) that it has selected President Bashir as its candidate for the 2020 Presidential election. Through bilateral engagement at Ministerial and official level, the UK continues to urge the Government of Sudan to implement swiftly the recommendations of the National Dialogue process and undertake political reforms that strengthen Sudan's democracy. This will ensure that the elections are free, fair, and inclusive. During a visit to Khartoum in August, the Minister for Africa urged the Government of Sudan to create a political environment that is conducive to freedom of expression and political affiliation. I also raised the importance of a stable and pluralistic political enviroment during my recent visit to Sudan in September.