Lord Harries of Pentregarth
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking with international partners to bring about stable government in South Sudan.
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
My Lords, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the deteriorating political and security situation in South Sudan. That is why we, alongside our like-minded international partners, continue to urge for an immediate de-escalation of current tensions and a return to an inclusive political dialogue. The transitional Government of South Sudan must engage with regional efforts towards de-escalation, led by IGAD and the African Union, of which the United Kingdom is in support.
Lord Harries of Pentregarth (CB)
I thank the Minister for her reply. The devastating civil war in South Sudan left 400,000 dead and nearly half the population displaced. The 2018 peace agreement was based on power-sharing between Salva Kiir, largely supported by the Dinka people, and Riek Machar, largely supported by the Nuer. But in November, the president sacked his vice-president and a number of his supporters in the Cabinet. What international pressure has been brought to bear to reinstate the vice-president to his position so that civil war may not break out again?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
The noble and right reverend Lord is completely right when he says that the political instability in South Sudan does not in any way help us achieve the lasting peace we need or the implementation of the power-sharing agreement. But we continue to work closely alongside international partners and with our team in Juba to make sure that any processes there might be around the situation that he identified are done properly. We continue to make the case for stability and the inclusive politics that, in the end, will be the key to a peaceful future for South Sudan.
Lord Oates (LD)
My Lords, I declare my interest as chief executive of United Against Malnutrition & Hunger. In his 3 November report, the Secretary-General of the UN warned that without humanitarian access being restored to all areas, South Sudan risks a full-scale food and nutrition crisis. Can the Minister update the House on whether any progress has been made on humanitarian access and what discussions the Government have had with the South Sudan Government, other warring parties and other influential actors such as the Vatican, the Anglican Church and other AU Governments?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
It is certainly true that humanitarian access is incredibly challenging and, sadly and devastatingly, we are seeing some of the dynamics of the conflict in Sudan showing themselves in South Sudan as well. The UK has spent £100 million in the last year and over £1 billion since the peace agreement on exactly the kind of work the noble Lord is talking about. While access is undoubtedly challenging, we will continue to work alongside others to try to get the help where it is desperately needed. Our support for the UN peacekeeping mission will be vital in securing that access.
Baroness Uddin (Non-Afl)
My Lords, we had a wonderful and very productive debate last week on Sudan. These issues will continue to impact the people of South Sudan and Sudan. Will the Minister ensure that in any work Britain is doing, we are never again accused of interfering in what the people of Sudan are able to do in any democratic processes? What are our Government doing to ensure that they are talking to regional partners, especially the African Union, as well as the OIC?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
This really matters, and it is good that there is regional leadership to help try to improve the situation. There is no lasting answer to this that does not involve regional and national leadership, which is why we are insistent that the humanitarian and peacekeeping work goes alongside the work on democracy and inclusivity that will, in the end, be what makes the peace in South Sudan. We need a full return to the power-sharing agreement to make sure that the situation can be improved, because in the end, it is the people of South Sudan who suffer the worst of this.
Lord Singh of Wimbledon (CB)
My Lords, does the Minister agree that if we really want to help people in places such as South Sudan escape horrendous conflict and suffering, we need to do something about the runaway arms trade, in which arms are sold to friendly countries and then go on to other countries for crude economic gain? For example, India—the land of Mahatma Gandhi—sells arms to Russia; Russia, in turn, sells arms to Pakistan, again with the possibility of conflict.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
We have a very strict regime about arms sales, which includes measures that prevent and rule against diversion. We also keep these things incredibly closely monitored. Noble Lords will know that there is a UN embargo in respect of South Sudan, which we support. I commit to noble Lords that we will continue to work to make sure that our regime is as tightly managed and robust as it can be.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)
My Lords, one of the major concerns in both Sudan and South Sudan is the continuing prevailing nature of sexual violence in conflict. As the Minister has acknowledged several times, the previous Government had a strong and long-standing record on this. With the recent challenges facing the development budget, what assurance can the Minister provide that this issue will remain a priority and a focus, in both Sudan and South Sudan?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
It is vital that it does, and I commit to the noble Lord that it will. We have the amazing services of my noble and learned friend Lady Harman to support us, hold us to account and offer internal challenge. I have every confidence that she will be able to do that. We need to have specific programming on violence against women and girls, but we also need to mainstream this approach throughout everything we do, so that the needs of women are met through all our activities and are not just left to a specialised team, important though that specialism will remain.
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)
My Lord, sustaining peace and nurturing democracy often requires a strong civil society. What are our Government doing to nurture and strengthen civil society in South Sudan?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
This is essential. We work through the United Nations and other large organisations, but it is important, especially for communities that are difficult to reach or contexts that are difficult for large organisations to gain access to, that smaller civil society and mutual aid groups are empowered and supported by us in the international community. This way, we are able not only to reach more people but to build a capability, a network, a strength and a set of skills that can do enormous good for years into the future, perhaps after the international activity has reduced.
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, as the Minister said earlier, political stability and inclusive politics are important for the future of Sudan to improve the dreadful situation there. The previous Foreign Secretary advised, or encouraged, all Britons to leave Sudan if it was safe for them to do so. Has the department assessed how many Britons remain in South Sudan and has it begun planning any necessary support should the situation deteriorate?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
Thankfully, we live in a free country and our citizens, sometimes in their wisdom, despite the best efforts of the Foreign Office and the advice given by it, decide to go anyway, so we do not hold numbers on how many British citizens are in any particular place. But we will of course make sure that the expected, necessary consular support is available to any British citizen, wherever they happen to be in the world.
Lord Hain (Lab)
Will the Minister say what discussions are taking place with the United Arab Emirates Government about their role in Sudan and South Sudan, which is quite malevolent?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
We continue to encourage all those with any influence over any of the warring parties in Sudan, or the Government or Opposition in South Sudan, to make sure that that influence, whether it is financial or comes in the form of weapons, is used in a way that encourages dialogue, de-escalation and, ultimately, peace.