Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure an official referendum is held to allow the people of the disputed region of Abyei to determine whether they want to be part of Sudan or South Sudan.

A political solution to the conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan must include a resolution to the status of Abyei, and this should include the views of the communities involved. The UK will continue to engage with all parties to secure a lasting political solution in Abyei, including with the governments of Sudan and South Sudan and in multilateral fora such as the United Nations and African Union.