Sudan – Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity In Darfur and South Kordofan; Confict in South Sudan – the killing and suffering continues

2014 – South Sudan the killing and suffering continues:
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/27/a-sudanese-refugee-crisis-photographed-from-the-ground-up/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=2

Also see –
https://www.davidalton.net/?s=south+sudan

South Sudan
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the situation facing South Sudanese refugees in Malakal; what information they have regarding the death by drowning in the White Nile of refugees; and what progress is being made in talks aimed at ending hostilities.[HL4710]
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic ferry sinking in South Sudan in which many people fleeing the fighting were killed. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds), made a statement expressing his regret at the incident.
The latest figures show that nearly half a million people have now been internally displaced with nearly 90,000 having fled to neighbouring countries. In Malakal, over 22,000 people are sheltering in the UN base. Ongoing fighting is continuing to hamper humanitarian access and we are urging all parties to ensure the safety of civilians and respect for UN premises.
While progress has been made towards agreeing the text of a cessation of hostilities document, the document has yet to be signed. We are continuing to lend our full support to the talks being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and pressing for a full cessation of hostilities.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Warsi on 7 January (HL Deb, cols 1396–7), regarding the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), whether the UNMISS mandate is sufficient to protect civilians; and whether the mandate recently given to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and used against the M23 militia might be an appropriate model for UNMISS. [HL4712]
Baroness Warsi: The United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) is mandated under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to use all necessary means required to protect civilians. We believe the mandate is sufficient in this respect.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what provision has been made for radio broadcasts by the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan to civilian populations in South Sudan giving them
27 Jan 2014 : Column WA202
and non-governmental organisations accurate news and appropriate warnings about military activity in their areas.[HL4713]
Baroness Warsi: The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) works with a number of international and national organisations on conflict early warning in South Sudan. To the best of our knowledge, UNMISS does not directly disseminate information on early warning to the population. However, the independent radio station Radio Miraya broadcasts information regarding the security situation in South Sudan. Radio Miraya is supported by UNMISS in partnership with Foundation Hirondelle.
South Sudan
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the events in Juba, South Sudan, on 16 December.[HL4196]
7 Jan 2014 : Column WA302
The Senior Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Warsi) (Con): We are deeply concerned by the outbreak of violence in South Sudan. There have been high numbers of reported deaths and over 120,000 people have been displaced from their homes, of whom about half are seeking refuge in UN compounds. The humanitarian response is severely constrained by insecurity in many locations. We are working with aid agencies to identify urgent priorities and prepare for when access to other currently insecure areas improves. On 30 December, the Department for International Development has announced an additional £12.5 million to support humanitarian needs.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), spoke to South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Dr Riek Machar on Sunday 29 December urging them both to commit to an immediate ceasefire and to enter into negotiations without preconditions. In separate discussions with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, the Foreign Secretary and my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Mr Simmonds) confirmed the UK’s full support for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led mediation to bring President Kiir and opposing forces to the negotiating table. Mr Simmonds reiterated this in discussions with the Ugandan Foreign Minister. We are working closely with US and Norwegian counterparts to discuss how the troika can best support this process.
We welcome the Security Council’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2132 (2013) which authorised an increase of five battalions (5,500 troops) and three formed police units (480 personnel) for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). We have been deeply concerned of reports of human right violations and the ethnic dimension of attacks. We welcome efforts by UN Mission in South Sudan to investigate reports of abuses, and to protect civilians and call on all sides to ensure respect for human rights of all.