Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the current political and humanitarian situation in Niger following the military coup in July.

Since the 26 July coup in Niger, the UK has supported efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urge a return to civilian rule. With partners, we have encouraged Niger's National Council for Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) to engage with ECOWAS negotiators on agreeing a democratic transition timeline. This is a pre-requisite for the lifting of ECOWAS sanctions, which risk worsening an already dire economic and humanitarian situation. Before the coup 4.3 million people needed humanitarian assistance in Niger and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) assess an additional 7.3 million people could be now pushed into food insecurity.  The UK has urged all parties to facilitate the transit of humanitarian goods into Niger.