Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's South Sudan peace process; whether they intend to propose any new diplomatic approach to ending the conflict; and what steps the international community has taken to involve a broad section of civil society, including (1) faith groups, (2) young people, and (3) women’s groups, in that process.

The UK continues to encourage all sides to respond positively to the IGAD initiative to revive the peace process, negotiate a ceasefire, and improve humanitarian access. IGAD's Revitalisation Forum is a critical opportunity. With his Troika counterparts, the UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan has recently held discussions with key senior officials and ministers of IGAD member states, and the leaders of a range of South Sudanese parties to the conflict (including from the Government of South Sudan), to urge them to commit themselves to the process.

We have been clear that any initiatives supported and delivered by the region must be complementary to the IGAD Revitalisation Forum.

The renewed peace process must also allow full engagement of non-armed actors, including faith groups, young people, and women's groups, as well as refugees, those who have been internally displaced, and the diaspora. We have recently agreed a package of funding that will help the South Sudan Council of Churches to implement their Action Plan for Peace, which promotes the development of neutral fora in South Sudan where an inclusive dialogue can take place.