South Sudan

Lord Harries of Pentregarth Excerpts

Monday 1st December 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[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.