Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the UK’s role as a member of the Troika, and as a co-signatory of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, what specific action they have taken during March, and what action they plan to take in the coming weeks, to prevent further escalation of armed violence in South Sudan.

Following increases in fighting in South Sudan, and the house arrest of First Vice President Machar, we have called on President Kiir to reverse this action and prevent further escalation - including through engaging with regional efforts towards de-escalation. On 27th March we published a joint statement with the Troika and other likeminded partners and reiterated this message at the UN Human Rights Council. We will continue to work with partners, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the UN, to press for the full implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.