On 2nd July 2014, the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, received answers to three written questions on South Sudan.
The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they are offering members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to stop small arms entering South Sudan.
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): The members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have played an important role in the mediation efforts and have consistently called for both parties to respect the cessation of hostilities to solve the ongoing crisis in South Sudan and commit fully to the mediation process. Although South Sudan is not subject to an UN Arms Embargo, we have been clear that the actions of its neighbours should not in any way exacerbate the conflict. South Sudan has been subject to an EU Arms Embargo since its independence.
The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the impartiality of any protection force deployed to South Sudan by the countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
Baroness Warsi: We welcome the decision by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to deploy troops to provide protection to the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) in South Sudan. The protection force will be integrated into the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) structure, and under UN command, to ensure impartiality and alignment with UN Security Council Resolution 2155.
The Lord Bishop of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of whether the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has sufficient logistical support to respond to the new protection needs in civilian protection camps in South Sudan.
Baroness Warsi: UN Security Council Resolution 2155 of 26 May 2014 renewed the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) mandate and acknowledged that the situation has changed in South Sudan. The new mandate enables UNMISS to focus on its core priorities: to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance and investigate human rights violations and abuses. We will continue to do all we can to ensure that UNMISS remains focused on these priorities, with the right personnel and resources in place.
(via Parliament.uk)
The Church of England in Parliament 
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