Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of the current political situation in Mali, following the adoption of a new constitution by the military government, which gives new presidential powers to determine government policy and dissolve parliament; and what is their assessment of the impact that this will have on the intended return to civilian rule in the presidential elections scheduled for February 2024.

The situation in Mali is continuing to deteriorate, with the increase in Wagner Group's presence, the associated rise in human rights abuses and violations, and the potential impacts of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali's (MINUSMA) withdrawal. The authorities must deliver on their commitment to the political transition, with free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential elections in February 2024, as endorsed by The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit of 3 July 2022. The UK remains ready to assist the Malian people towards a path of healing, reconciliation, and rebuilding for communities affected by human rights violations and abuses.