West Africa: Security

(asked on 25th January 2022) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment has she made of the (a) security and (b) political stability in West Africa following recent coups d'etat in that region.


Answered by
Vicky Ford Portrait
Vicky Ford
This question was answered on 31st January 2022

The UK Government routinely monitors and assesses security and political dynamics across West Africa. We are concerned by the deteriorating situation across the Sahel, and the tangible impact this has on security across the West Africa region. We have joined the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and international partners to condemn recent coups, including in Burkina Faso this month, in Guinea in September 2021, and in Mali in May 2021. We support regional mediation efforts and call for the return to democratic, civilian and constitutional rule without delay.

In a call with President Brou on 19 November 2021 I was able to set out the UK's continued support for ECOWAS' efforts. It is vital that across the region all parties engage in peaceful dialogue to ease tensions, prevent any further violence, respect human rights, and uphold democratic principles including the rule of law. We continue to work with our international partners to address the implications of these coups and to monitor each situation closely.

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