Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department has provided to help include civil society and the wider civilian population of South Sudan in the High Level Revitalisation Forum.

The British Government has repeatedly called for the inclusion of a broad range of actors in the High Level Revitalisation Forum, including specifically urging the incorporation of civil society’s views. We have been clear that hearing a wide range of voices that represent the whole of South Sudanese society is essential for the forum’s success. We have made this point at high levels directly to IGAD and to the parties to the conflict. We have also sought to amplify civil society’s contributions to the process through our diplomatic engagement and communications work. During their recent regional tour, Troika Envoys met with a wide range of civil society players. More widely, the UK is working to empower non-armed actors in South Sudan to participate effectively in the peace process. This includes work with local peacebuilding organisations and a package of funding to help the South Sudan Council of Churches’ work in support of the peace process.