Nigeria: Violence

(asked on 17th June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing for Nigerian citizens who have been displaced by jihadist violence in conflicts invoving herders and farmers.


Answered by
Baroness Sugg Portrait
Baroness Sugg
This question was answered on 1st July 2020

We are concerned by intercommunal violence, frequently involving farming and herding communities, however we do not support the characterisation of the clashes as 'jihadist'. We are not aware of evidence of collusion between insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa and perpetrators of intercommunal violence. We are keen to avoid conflating the two issues, which can risk exacerbating tensions.

The UK does not provide direct humanitarian funding to people displaced by intercommunal conflict affecting 'Middle Belt' states. DFID is designing a programme to address conflict over natural resources, which will help to address some of the root causes of the violence.

The UK also continues to support Nigeria in tackling terrorism in the North East. The UK has committed to providing up to £400 million of humanitarian support to affected communities between 2018-2022, including the provision of vital food assistance for 1.5 million conflict-affected people, preventing malnutrition and creating access to education for vulnerable children. When the security situation improves, we hope that all internally displaced people can return home. The return of people to their homes must be voluntary, based on an informed choice, and made in safety, with dignity, in accordance with international conventions.

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