Sahel: Politics and Government

(asked on 11th February 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security situation in the Sahel; and when they last held discussions with the government of France about international efforts to accelerate and expand stabilisation operations in that region.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 25th February 2021

The UK is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel. Over the years conflict has spread from the north of Mali to the centre, as well as into Burkina Faso and Niger. 2020 has registered more deaths by violence than any previous year in the past decade. Through our recent deployment to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and our support aimed at bolstering conflict resolution, the UK is committed to building long-term peace and stability.

In our engagement with G5 Sahel countries and international partners, including the French, the UK has raised concerns about escalating violence and emphasised the need for a more coordinated response based on mutual accountability between G5 governments and donors. The Foreign Secretary speaks to his French counterpart regularly. At the G5 Sahel Summit on 16 February, attended by France and other international partners, the Foreign Secretary set out the need to strengthen civil-military coordination, address impunity for human rights abuses and violations, and improve the stabilisation approach based on a shared understanding of conflict drivers.

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