Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to ensure that development initiatives in Mali are conflict sensitive, inclusive and politically accountable.

The UK remains very concerned about the situation in the Mali. Despite continued progress in political stabilisation, the security situation remains volatile.

Recognising the lessons of the previous peace agreements, which did not achieve a durable peace in Mali, the UK and other members of the Security Council have been working closely with all parties to encourage full and faithful implementation of a future comprehensive and inclusive peace agreement. Through the UK’s political, financial and personnel contributions to the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as well as regional EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions, the UK aims to promote political stability, good governance and regional cooperation as well as encouraging stability across the wider region.

Although DFID does not have a bilateral development programme in Mali, we are working with other donors to ensure that development aid effectively addresses the needs of all of the citizens of Mali, is conflict sensitive and contributes to political accountability, legitimacy and inclusiveness. DFID has seconded a conflict adviser into the EU delegation in Mali to that end. DFID always consider the longer term development impact when developing our programmes across the Sahel, including Mali. Further details can be found on the Department’s Development Tracker online.