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Written Question
Somaliland: Elections
Wednesday 27th November 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the fairness of recent presidential elections in Somaliland and of its progress towards recognition by the African Union and the international community.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK congratulates Somalilanders for peacefully exercising their right to vote on 13 November. We commend the National Electoral Commission for conducting a transparent voter registration and candidate nomination process and note that the preliminary assessment from observers has been that the election process was largely credible, transparent and inclusive. We stand ready to work alongside Somaliland to further strengthen democracy and accountability in the future.

The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. It is for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to resolve Somaliland's status through dialogue and broad consultation.


Written Question
Conflict Resolution: Civil Society
Wednesday 27th November 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of civil society organisations in conflict resolution and peacekeeping; and what steps they are taking to support this in (1) Sudan, (2) Israel and Palestine, and (3) Burkina Faso.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

UK technical and diplomatic support has been instrumental in the establishment of the anti-war, pro-democracy Taqaddum coalition, led by former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. I have recently met Hamdok and the UK will continue to support civil society groups seeking to alleviate suffering, protect civilians and end the conflict in Sudan.

The death and destruction in Gaza are intolerable. The UK is pushing for an immediate ceasefire. The fighting must stop, the hostages must be released and much more aid must enter Gaza. A deal is on the table and we are urging both sides to show flexibility. The civil society organisations we work with are valuable partners of the government and we welcome the opportunity to continue to work with them closely.

Civil society organisations in Burkina Faso also play an important role in conflict resolution and peacekeeping, despite facing significant challenges. We are supporting efforts by civil society organisations to facilitate land conflict resolution, promote gender and social inclusion, and support survivors of gender-based violence.


Written Question
Burkina Faso: Violence
Wednesday 27th November 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Human Rights Watch that more than 220 civilians, including at least 56 children, were killed in Burkina Faso by the military in February; and what representations they have made to the military government of Burkina Faso regarding this report.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK is aware of reports of massacres of civilians by Burkinabe military forces in late February in the villages of Nondin and Soro in Burkina Faso's Yatenga province. On 29 April, the UK and USA issued a joint statement condemning the alleged violence against civilians and the subsequent media suspensions by the Burkinabe authorities. We have called on the Burkina Faso authorities to thoroughly investigate reports of these massacres and hold those responsible to account.


Written Question
African Union: Peacekeeping Operations
Wednesday 27th November 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the African Union peace-keeping operations, and what assistance they provide to such operations.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK recognises the important role that African Union (AU) peace support operations play in delivering peace and security in Africa. The UK has voluntarily contributed £70 million to the AU mission in Somalia since 2022, in addition to providing £68.7 million through UN Assessed Contributions due to the mission's UN mandated support. The UK has also long provided technical advice on peacekeeping to the AU and helped train peacekeepers for the AU Mission in Somalia through the British Peace Support Team (Africa).


Written Question
Burkina Faso: Violence
Monday 25th November 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress towards combatting the Islamist insurgency in Burkina Faso and the threat it poses to neighbouring countries.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK is monitoring the increase in terrorism and violent extremism in Burkina Faso. Rising insecurity has contributed to an alarming increase in identity-based violence and atrocities, including by Islamic extremist groups and state forces.

I have discussed the impact of the security challenges faced by Burkina Faso and the Sahel with regional neighbours, including Senegalese PM Sonko, Ghana, Algeria, Mauritania and the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel.

The UK is providing over £142 million in bilateral overseas development aid to the Sahel this financial year, to provide humanitarian support and address the drivers of conflict.


Written Question
Commonwealth: Equality
Thursday 7th November 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to right enduring inequalities in the Commonwealth in the light of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

At CHOGM 2024 in Samoa, the UK announced a series of initiatives aimed to address inequality. This included the new UK Trade Centre of Expertise, which will drive export-led growth across the Commonwealth by providing support to developing countries, increased technical assistance to small states to help them unlock access to climate finance, and continued funding for Commonwealth and Chevening scholars to create opportunities for future generations. The UK also announced increased support to protect and promote the rights and inclusion of LGBT+ persons and persons with disabilities in Commonwealth countries. I engaged civil society extensively during CHOGM, attending The Commonwealth Equality Network's reception to launch their CHOGM Shadow Report as well as participating in the Commonwealth Youth, Women's and People's Forums.


Written Question
Cameroon: France
Thursday 23rd May 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the governments of (1) Cameroon, and (2) France, about inter-communal violence between the Anglophone and Francophone communities in Cameroon; and what is their assessment of the role of the churches in peace-making in that country.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

The UK Government has been tracking the conflict in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, and continue to urge for all perpetrators to be held to account for violence against civilian communities. The Deputy Foreign Secretary raised our human rights concerns with senior government officials during his visit to the country in April 2023. He also set out the UK's commitment to supporting the country to find a peaceful resolution through inclusive dialogue. Our High Commission in Cameroon supports this, including through regular engagement with international partners. We welcome the work of the recent fifth session of the Follow Up Committee to implement the recommendations of the Major National Dialogue in August 2023, including engaging religious leaders.


Written Question
Sahel: Private Military and Security Companies
Thursday 23rd May 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the operations of foreign mercenaries and other non-state armed groupings in the Sahel region of Africa and what support they have given to regional governments and institutions to counter their activities.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

The UK has repeatedly raised concerns about non-state armed groups in the Sahel with partners in the region. Russia and its proxies capitalise on instability and poverty to exploit resources and gain influence. This has resulted in a destabilising focus on hard security, human rights abuses and disinformation, leading to the UK announcing 13 sanctions against Wagner in Africa in July 2023. The UK takes approaches conflict and stability holistically, working closely with international partners. In 2024, the UK will provide around £245m to the Sahel, primarily to meet humanitarian needs and support local level conflict prevention programmes in Mali and Niger.


Written Question
Sahel: Politics and Government
Thursday 23rd May 2024

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threats to democratic governance in the Sahel region of Africa, and whether they intend to take measures to strengthen civil society in the region.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)

The UK condemns recent restrictions to democratic space in the Sahel and, in coordination with our international partners, we regularly raise our concerns with governments in the region. The UK remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance and supporting access to basic services for the people of the Sahel region. In doing so we seek to build resilience and address the root causes of insecurity and poverty, including by supporting inclusive political dialogue and engaging civil society actors.


Written Question
Africa: Science
Wednesday 5th July 2023

Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic and social impact of collaboration in scientific research between British and African universities and research institutes.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Scientific research collaborations between British and African research institutions make vital contributions to economic growth and the UK's wider development in Africa. Scientific collaborations are helping to overcome many of the most significant global challenges, from public health emergencies to climate change, to energy, education and more. HMG therefore invests in a wide range of UK-Africa scientific collaborations, including partnerships with the including the Science Foundation for Africa, the African Research Universities Alliance, and the Science Granting Councils Initiative.