Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what reports he has received of the political situation in Sierra Leone since the June elections.

The UK has engaged stakeholders including the government, opposition, election bodies, regional partners and the international community in the months leading up to, during and after the elections. We have given consistent messages about the importance of free, fair and peaceful elections, good governance and the rule of law. The Foreign Secretary raised these issues during his visit to Sierra Leone in March and in a telephone call with President Bio (7 August). It remains vital that Sierra Leone's political leaders engage with efforts to support the democratic process. We remain committed to supporting the aspirations of the Sierra Leonean people.