Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the security situation in Somalia, including the progress of the government of Somalia’s offensive against Al-Shabaab; and whether they are working with the EU in support of the EU-Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap, adopted in May 2023.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The Federal Government of Somalia's campaign to tackle al-Shabaab (AS) has made significant progress in the past 18 months, though challenges in recent months have slowed that progress. Tackling al-Shabaab is a top UK counter-terrorism priority and we commend Somali Security Forces for their ongoing efforts. For enduring progress, the international community must support the Somali-led security sector to ensure liberated areas are stabilised.
In November 2023, we signed the UK-Somalia Strategic Partnership which sets out shared, long-term objectives including support for Somalia's security sector for long-term stability. To this end, the UK engages with key partners such the EU, including in areas covered by both the UK-Somalia Strategic Partnership and the EU-Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their strategy to support the central Sahel region in Africa and to assist Sahelian countries in addressing both the security challenges and longer-term structural challenges that they face.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The UK combines development, diplomatic and defence approaches to respond to the instability in the Sahel and meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Our priorities are responding to humanitarian needs, building resilience, and addressing the root causes of insecurity and poverty (including supporting democratic political transitions). The UK does not work through military transition governments, and we have most recently suspended direct support to Niger but we continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the people of the Sahel. Our development support includes education and reproductive health services for women. We support regionally led efforts to prevent the spread of insecurity.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to strengthen bilateral relations with Taiwan, including UK ministerial meetings with the President-elect, William Lai Ching-te.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship based on deep and growing ties in a wide range of areas, and underpinned by shared democratic values. This relationship delivers significant benefits to both the UK and Taiwan and has featured a wide range of exchanges and visits, for example on trade, health and educational issues.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the state of emergency declared in Ecuador on 8 January, what assessment they have made of the political and security situation in that country.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We are closely monitoring the security situation in Ecuador. The UK stands with Ecuador in their fight against organised crime, not least because of the links to the international trade in cocaine. We have been working closely with Ecuadorean partners since 2012 on tackling international organised crime, and we will continue to explore how we can help further. We are committed to supporting Ecuador in ensuring that the rule of law prevails.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in Gaza; and what action they are taking with international partners to prevent crisis levels of hunger and famine amongst the civilian population of Gaza.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
There is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a desperate need for increased humanitarian support - 9 out of 10 Palestinians in Gaza are living on less than one meal a day. Our focus must be on practical solutions that save lives.
The Prime Minister discussed the crisis in Israel and Gaza with President Biden on 22 January. The UK and US are focused on alleviating the terrible suffering in Gaza and together we are working to establish a new aid route through the port of Ashdod. The Foreign Secretary has reiterated the need for Israel to open more crossing points into Gaza, for Nitzana and Kerem Shalom to be open for longer, and for Israel to support the UN to distribute aid effectively across the whole of Gaza.
We trebled our aid commitment this financial year and we will continue to support the United Nations World Food Programme to deliver a new humanitarian land corridor from Jordan into Gaza. 750 tonnes of life-saving food aid arrived in the first delivery and 315 tonnes in the second delivery. Israel must concrete take steps, working with other partners including the UN and Egypt, to significantly increase the flow of aid across Gaza including allowing prolonged humanitarian pauses, opening more routes into Gaza and immediately restoring and sustaining water, fuel and electricity.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security situation in Iraq following the US military strike in Baghdad on 4 January, which the Pentagon reported killed a senior commander of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba; and what discussions they have had with the governments of Iraq and the US following the denunciation of the strike by the Iraqi government.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We continually monitor the security situation in Iraq, working closely with our fellow members of the Global Coalition and the Government of Iraq. The US drone strike in Baghdad on January 4 which killed Abu Taqwa, a leader of the Iran Aligned Militia Group Harakat al-Nujaba, was announced as an act of self-defence by the US. The ongoing safety and protection of Coalition Forces members in Iraq remains paramount. The UK highlights the Government of Iraq's commitment to protect these forces. Lord Ahmad spoke with Minister Hussein on 4 January, and we frequently engage at official level.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the findings of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Guatemala 2023 with regard to the conduct of the general election on 25 June 2023 and presidential run-off on 20 August 2023, and (2) the political and security situation in Guatemala, following efforts to discredit the election of President Bernardo Arévalo, who took office on 14 January.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK welcomes the inauguration of Guatemalan President Arévalo. It is positive that the choice of the people of Guatemala has been respected. The Rt Hon. Lord Benyon attended the inauguration on 14 January. Minister Rutley and His Majesty the King have both issued statements of support for the President confirming that we will stand with those seeking to safeguard democracy and rule of law.
The British Embassy in Guatemala City continues to monitor the political and security situation closely. The UK shares concerns with the EU regarding the conduct of the electoral process prior to election day but agrees with the EU and OAS statements that there were no elements within the voting or counting processes which cast doubt on the electoral results presented by the Guatemalan Electoral Tribunal.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking, together with international partners, to prevent an expansion of hostilities between the government of Israel and Hezbollah, following recent airstrikes in Lebanon which killed Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chair of Hamas’s political bureau, and the Hezbollah senior commander, Wissam al-Tawil.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We remain in close contact with key international and regional partners, including to urge all sides to avoid further escalation in Lebanon; the situation is fragile and an escalation in violence, including on Lebanon's southern boundary with Israel, is not in anyone's interests. The UK is committed to its longstanding support to the Lebanese Armed Forces which helps maintain Lebanon's security.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the levels of tension between the governments of Taiwan and China following the presidential elections that took place in Taiwan on 13 January.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The elections that took place on 13 January are testament to Taiwan's vibrant democracy. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. We have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their understanding of the political, security and humanitarian situation in Sudan following the indefinite suspension on 5 December of peace talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which had been taking place in Jeddah; and what steps they are taking, together with international partners, to persuade both sides in the conflict to return to negotiations.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
The UK condemns the ongoing hostilities in Sudan in the strongest terms. The human cost of the conflict is high, with atrocities being committed, a serious lack of humanitarian access and disregard for civilian life. The Jeddah talks, hosted by the United States and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have now ended following ongoing disagreements between the warring parties. Alongside our international partners, we continue to support mediation efforts, such as those of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and urge both warring parties to engage constructively to secure a ceasefires and improvements in humanitarian access.