Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risks of (1) domestic, and (2) regional, destabilisation as a result of current political events in Burkina Faso.

The UK and our international partners cautioned President Compaoré against amending the constitution ahead of the elections in 2015, highlighting the risks that such a course of action would pose. We have seen these consequences manifest themselves:

1) Domestically, demonstrations have seen President Compaoré swept from power, the constitution suspended and a military government installed. We now urge the interim authorities to work with all parties to bring about a swift return of civilian democratic governance.

2) Prolonged instability in Burkina Faso could have a wider impact given the underlying security and development challenges in the region. Therefore, we support the efforts of the African Union and the Economic Community Of West African States, alongside the UN, to bring about a resolution to the crisis.