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<p>The intensity of the conflict in South Sudan has reduced substantially during the
rainy season, but low level fighting and restrictions on humanitarian access in violation
of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) continue. Steps towards a wider ceasefire
were agreed in principle by the main warring parties in August, but an implementation
matrix has not yet come into effect.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A further round
of peace talks convened by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was
held from 22 September to 5 October, with the mediators reporting some progress around
the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity to lead the country out
of conflict. We expect talks to resume again after regional consultations, and the
UK government continues to offer its full support to this process.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stepped up patrols and continues
to focus on protection of civilians and creating the conditions for the delivery of
humanitarian assistance, in line with its renewed mandate agreed on 27 May 2014. Additional
UN troops from regional forces have also been deployed in support of teams monitoring
CoHA implementation. UK support has enabled humanitarian agencies to provide essential
assistance in both UN Protection of Civilian (PoC) camps and in ‘hard to reach’ area.
However, security and lack of access remain major constraints to reaching those in
need and we continue to stress the important need for all parties to respect the CoH,
and to allow for unhampered access for humanitarian assistance.<br></p><p> </p><p>On
25 September, South Sudan’s Foreign Minister recommitted to his country’s 2012 Action
Plan on Children and Armed Conflict at an event hosted by the Minister for Africa
in New York. However, we continue to receive credible reports of the use of child
soldiers in some areas.</p><p> </p>
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