Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of (a) Puntland, (b) Somalia and (c) Swaziland on (i) recent hostilities between Puntland and Somaliland and (ii) threats made by Puntland to Somaliland.

Our Ambassador has spoken to the Governments of Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland to urge leaders on all sides to commit to an immediate cessation of hostilities, allow humanitarian access to conflict-affected communities and initiate dialogue to reduce tension and avoid miscommunication. The UK has also joined international partners in issuing a statement expressing our concern, which is available at https://unsom.unmissions.org/somalia%E2%80%99s-international-partners-gravely-concerned-over-clashes-near-tukaraq-call-ceasefire.

It is imperative that all parties avoid rhetoric or actions that could increase tensions or hostility.