Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks of the chairman of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission that there is a lack of political agreement in South Sudan to enable free and credible elections to take place; and whether they intend to make representations to the government of South Sudan on voter registration and expediting the work of the National Elections Commission.

The UK has taken note of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Chairman's comments and calls on the South Sudanese Government to expand political and civic space. The voices of South Sudan's diverse population, including those who hold opposing views, must be heard to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections. We welcome the passing of South Sudan's National Elections Act in September 2023, but note that this was 13 months behind the transitional government's timelines set out in their Roadmap. We urge the Government of South Sudan to operationalise this law by reconstituting, adequately financing and empowering electoral institutions, including the National Elections Commission.