Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the postponement of presidential elections in Somalia, what assessment they have made of the (1) political, and (2) security, situation in that country.

Somalia is at a important stage in agreeing an electoral process, which will have broader implications for its political and security development. It is vital that talks resume and leaders come to an agreement on the implementation of an inclusive electoral process, to proceed as soon as possible. The UK, with its international partners, raised concerns over the violence around demonstrations in Mogadishu on 19 February, and called on all parties to maintain calm and exercise restraint to allow political dialogue to advance. We urge Somalia's leaders to reach agreement on the elections, in the interests of the people of Somalia and in order to cement progress towards long-term security and stability.