Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports that violence prevented people from voting in elections in the Central African Republic, what assessment they have made of the current (1) political, and (2) security, situation in that country.

The UK Government is concerned by the current security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and reports of violence during the electoral period. We have repeatedly called on all parties to cease violence and allow the Central African people to exercise their right to vote in peaceful, free and fair conditions. The UN and CAR authorities are working together to ensure a successful second round of legislative elections in February. We have noted the preliminary Presidential election results announced by the National Elections Authority on 4 January, which will be confirmed by the Constitutional Court on 19 January.

We support the UN's call for the Government of CAR and all parties to favour an inclusive, open, constructive and credible political dialogue to promote national stability. The UK supported election preparations in CAR through a £500,000 contribution to the UN Development Programme's basket fund for elections, which enabled the procurement of critical election materials and greater participation of women and marginalised groups. The UK also contributes approximately £40 million annually to the UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA) which continues to provide security and patrol areas across the country.