Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current state of border control and management in the Western Sahel-Sahara region of Africa.

The long distances, challenging geography and harsh climatic conditions mean that policing cross-border activity in the Western Sahel-Sahara is a significant challenge for the states of the region. Whilst taking into account the historic patterns of trade across this region, we are working with our partners, including the EU through Common Security and Defence Policy Missions, with local communities and with regional organisations, to develop plans to build states’ capacity to manage their borders effectively.