Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Mali; and whether he has plans to (a) reduce or (b) maintain ODA spending in that country in 2021-22.

I condemned the recent detention of the President, Prime Minister and other members of the government in Mali. Any attempt to impose a change of leadership by force, including through forced resignations, is unacceptable.

We are monitoring the political and security situation in Mali closely. We are ready to support ECOWAS efforts to monitor progress towards democratic, constitutional rule within the agreed timeframe, and with full respect for the conditions set out by ECOWAS.

The UK remains committed to supporting stability and development in Mali, and will continue to provide aid to those most in need. The final figures for UK spending in the Sahel will be published in due course, but we will remain a significant donor to the region.