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<p>The UK continues to urge all parties to the September 2018 ‘Revitalised Agreement
on the Conflict in South Sudan’ to make the progress necessary for a government of
national unity to form and to uphold the associated ceasefire. The DFID/FCO Minister
for Africa (Andrew Stephenson) wrote to both parties in November to urge them to make
such progress for the sake of the people of South Sudan. Following agreement by the
parties to extend the ‘pre-transitional’ phase to February 2020 we have welcomed meetings
in Juba between President Kiir and opposition leader Dr Machar but call for further
dialogue to deliver progress so that a government of national unity can form and for
implementation of the next phase of the peace agreement to begin. This messaging was
reinforced at the recent UN Security Council on 18 December 2019. Security in Juba
and elsewhere in South Sudan is an important part of building the confidence for opposition
parties to participate in a government of national unity. Most recently alongside
Troika partners (US and Norway) we issued a statement on 2 January urging the parties
to engage in a spirit of compromise on outstanding tasks. As a member of the UN Security
Council the UK supports the UN Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS), including through
the deployment of UK troops. UNMISS plays a crucial role in supporting the peace process
and protection of civilians. Security for political figures to participate in government
in Juba is critical but part of the wider peace agreement implementation and for the
parties to progress.</p>
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