Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they have offered to the governments of (1) South Africa, and (2) other African countries, in view of the economic impact of being placed on the UK's COVID-19 travel red list.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Through our bilateral programmes, and the UK's important role working through the International Financial Institutions, we are helping governments and businesses in both South Africa and across the continent to access affordable financing and advice; and establish safety nets to support the most vulnerable. In April 2021, the UK, with other G20 countries, extended its suspension of debt service repayments for the poorest countries to the end of 2021. The travel red list was a short term measure in direct response to the latest scientific and medical data showing an increased risk to UK public health. The measures ended at 4am on Wednesday 15th December.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the African Union regarding political violence in Zimbabwe.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK remains concerned about the political situation in Zimbabwe, particularly the lack of accountability for human rights violations and restrictions to freedom of assembly. The recent attacks on opposition leader Nelson Chamisa were concerning. In response, on 22 October, the UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe called for all citizens' freedoms to be guaranteed as set out in Zimbabwe's constitution, all incidents to be investigated, and for all violence and threats to be unequivocally condemned. The former Minister for Africa raised the human rights situation in Zimbabwe with Foreign Minister Shava on 9 June.
The UK regularly discusses the political situation in Zimbabwe with its international partners, including South Africa and the African Union, and we remain committed to working in partnership to identify solutions. We continue to monitor developments closely, regularly encouraging the Government of Zimbabwe to live up to their own constitution and ensure the opposition, civil society and journalists are allowed to operate without harassment.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of South Africa about political violence in Zimbabwe.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK remains concerned about the political situation in Zimbabwe, particularly the lack of accountability for human rights violations and restrictions to freedom of assembly. The recent attacks on opposition leader Nelson Chamisa were concerning. In response, on 22 October, the UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe called for all citizens' freedoms to be guaranteed as set out in Zimbabwe's constitution, all incidents to be investigated, and for all violence and threats to be unequivocally condemned. The former Minister for Africa raised the human rights situation in Zimbabwe with Foreign Minister Shava on 9 June.
The UK regularly discusses the political situation in Zimbabwe with its international partners, including South Africa and the African Union, and we remain committed to working in partnership to identify solutions. We continue to monitor developments closely, regularly encouraging the Government of Zimbabwe to live up to their own constitution and ensure the opposition, civil society and journalists are allowed to operate without harassment.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Zimbabwe following the two recent attacks on opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK remains concerned about the political situation in Zimbabwe, particularly the lack of accountability for human rights violations and restrictions to freedom of assembly. The recent attacks on opposition leader Nelson Chamisa were concerning. In response, on 22 October, the UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe called for all citizens' freedoms to be guaranteed as set out in Zimbabwe's constitution, all incidents to be investigated, and for all violence and threats to be unequivocally condemned. The former Minister for Africa raised the human rights situation in Zimbabwe with Foreign Minister Shava on 9 June.
The UK regularly discusses the political situation in Zimbabwe with its international partners, including South Africa and the African Union, and we remain committed to working in partnership to identify solutions. We continue to monitor developments closely, regularly encouraging the Government of Zimbabwe to live up to their own constitution and ensure the opposition, civil society and journalists are allowed to operate without harassment.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to apply sanctions against the Zimbabwean Presidential adviser, Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the report by the Sentry Shadows and Shell Games, published on 1 July, about the offshore business empire and corruption dealings of Kudakwashe Tagwirei. The UK is deeply worried about the state of the Zimbabwean economy, which continues to face unprecedented challenges largely due to corruption, poor fiscal policies and economic mismanagement by the Government. The UK remains committed to reducing poverty and helping the people of Zimbabwe secure their constitutional freedoms.
We continue to look at how all the tools available to the UK, including the full range of sanctions regimes, can be used to encourage accountability and reform in Zimbabwe. It is longstanding practice not to speculate on future sanctions designations.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by The Sentry Shadows and Shell Games: Uncovering an Offshore Business Empire in Zimbabwe, published on 1 July; and what steps they intend to take as a result.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the report by the Sentry Shadows and Shell Games, published on 1 July, about the offshore business empire and corruption dealings of Kudakwashe Tagwirei. The UK is deeply worried about the state of the Zimbabwean economy, which continues to face unprecedented challenges largely due to corruption, poor fiscal policies and economic mismanagement by the Government. The UK remains committed to reducing poverty and helping the people of Zimbabwe secure their constitutional freedoms.
We continue to look at how all the tools available to the UK, including the full range of sanctions regimes, can be used to encourage accountability and reform in Zimbabwe. It is longstanding practice not to speculate on future sanctions designations.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the economy of South Africa of the UK’s decision to put South Africa on the red list for COVID-19 travel restrictions; and in particular the effect on (1) the tourism industry, and (2) funding for conservation programmes.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The current traffic light system categorises countries based on risk to protect public health and the vaccine rollout from variants of COVID-19.
South Africa is an important partner for the UK, including in the tourism industry, which pre-pandemic saw approximately 400,000 British Nationals travel to South Africa annually. While we hope that travel for tourism purposes will resume soon between the UK and South Africa, public health remains our number one priority.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a significant impact on South Africa's economy, with real GDP growth at -7 per cent in 2020. The situation remains challenging for 2021, although GDP forecasts are more positive. Many sectors of South Africa's economy have been affected, including the tourism industry, with South Africa receiving 72.6 per cent fewer tourists from countries worldwide in 2020.
There is no direct link between UK travel restrictions and funding for conservation work, the UK remains committed to working with South Africa on environmental and conservation issues.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of mitigating climate change on reducing conflict in sub-Saharan Africa.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. The Minister will write directly to the Member with a response shortly.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the contribution that renewable energy projects could make to (1) economic development, (2) skills development, and (3) job creation, in the Horn of Africa region.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. The Minister will write directly to the Member with a response shortly.
Asked by: Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to renewable energy projects in the Horn of Africa region.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. The Minister will write directly to the Member with a response shortly.