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1377954

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Central African Republic: Humanitarian Situation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic; and what support she is providing to that country.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	73846
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2021 answer text <p>The ongoing violence in the Central African Republic continues to take a distressing toll on the civilian population, compounding an already acute humanitarian situation. The UN estimates that in 2022 3.1 million people, or 63% of the population will need humanitarian assistance. The UK continues to make a significant humanitarian contribution, in 2020/21 this was £21 million.</p><p>The most important need continues to be security and the UK continues to work closely with international partners to support efforts to bring stability to the country. I spoke with President Touadéra on 1 November and underlined the UK's commitment to MINUSCA and the importance of an inclusive peace-building process. Last week the UK voted in support of renewing the mandate of the UN Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for a further 12 months and makes an annual assessed contribution to MINUSCA (approximately £40 million per year).</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 17/11/2021 17:14:06 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1377955

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Humanitarian Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of population displacement and humanitarian need in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and what support she is providing to humanitarian agencies working in that region.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	73847
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2021 answer text <p>Ituri is home to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Half its population suffer from acute food insecurity, the highest level in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (itself the world's largest food security crisis). Due to violent attacks by armed groups, more than 863,000 people have been displaced within Ituri in 2021, including 140,000 in just the past 3 months. Armed groups are also responsible for large numbers of civilian deaths, sexual violence, burning and looting of villages, attacks against health facilities, and for preventing people from farming their fields. Insecurity and attacks against humanitarian organisations are in turn affecting their ability to respond to the crisis.</p><p>As one of the largest humanitarian donors, the UK has been providing life-saving support to tens of thousands of affected people in Ituri through our funding to UN, NGO and Red Cross partners. This support includes cash transfers, emergency water and sanitation, family tracing and reunification, and sensitising armed actors to their responsibilities under international humanitarian law. The UK is also assisting efforts to reduce violence and build stability in eastern DRC, including by supporting MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission, and the DRC Government to demobilise armed groups and help local communities.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 17/11/2021 17:21:36 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1377956

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Ethiopia: Detainees
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of recent reports of the detention of UN staff in Ethiopia; and what representations she has made to the Ethiopian government as a result of such reports.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	73848
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2021 answer text <p>We are concerned by recent reports of the detention of several UN staff in Ethiopia. Expulsions and detention of key UN personnel will have a direct impact on the ability of the international community to deliver vital humanitarian assistance. On 30 September I [Minister Ford] called on the Government of Ethiopia to reverse the decision to expel UN officials from the country. Our concerns were reiterated at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 4 October where a joint statement was issued by the UK Ambassador to the UN on behalf of over 40 countries. We also raised these concerns at the UN Security Council (UNSC) briefing on Ethiopia on 6 October. The British Ambassador to Ethiopia raised our concerns about ongoing detentions with President Sahle-Work of Ethiopia on 12 November. On 5 November the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, setting out the pressing need for a ceasefire and a humanitarian access.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 17/11/2021 17:19:19 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1377957

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Nigeria: Foreign Relations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she last spoke to her Nigerian counterpart to discuss bilateral relations.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	73849
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2021 answer text <p>On 1 November I met with Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, in a formal bilateral meeting in the margins of the COP26 summit in Glasgow.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 17/11/2021 17:16:20 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1377958

registered interest
date	12/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sahel: Terrorism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the cross border operations of extremist groups in the Sahel and West Africa; and what support her Department is providing to tackle the threat those groups pose.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	73850
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/11/2021 answer text <p>The UK is deeply concerned about the security situation in the Sahel and parts of West Africa. In the Sahel, there were more deaths by violence in 2020 than in any previous year in the past decade. We condemn all attacks and are particularly concerned about reported human rights abuses and violations in the region, which exacerbate grievances and drive the cycle of violence. Through our deployment to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and our programmatic support for stabilisation and conflict resolution, the UK is committed to building long-term peace and stability in the Sahel. We have been pressing in the UN Security Council and in the region for renewed efforts to tackle impunity for human rights abuses and violations.</p><p>In the Lake Chad Basin region, the UK Government is also supporting efforts to respond to the regional conflict with extremist groups. We are supporting regional stabilisation efforts, the regionally-led fight against these groups, and the demobilisation, de-radicalisation and reintegration of former members.</p><p>Across the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, we are using our humanitarian assistance to support those worst affected by conflict.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 17/11/2021 17:12:21 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1367458

registered interest
date	09/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sudan: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Sudanese Government on the (a) release of civilian leaders, (b) a return to democratic transition and (c) the freedom and safety of civil society.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	72446
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2021 answer text <p>We strongly condemn the actions of the Sudanese military on 25 October, including to detain Prime Minister Hamdok and members of the civilian government and declare a State of Emergency. The Foreign Secretary made a statement on 5 November calling for the release of all those unlawfully detained and restoration of the civilian-led transitional government, which followed a similar statement made with our Sudan Quad partners (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and US) on 3 November. We expressed our condemnation at a UN Security Council meeting on 26 October, as well as during a Special Session at the UN Human Rights Council we secured on 5 November which also adopted a resolution making clear that Sudan's civilian-led government must be restored, detainees freed, and human rights respected. Our Ambassador to Khartoum and other members of the diplomatic community in Khartoum have met with Prime Minister Hamdok to demonstrate UK support for his release. On 9 November Troika (UK, Norway and US) ambassadors met with General Burhan to urge the military to reverse their actions.</p><p>Sudanese civil society played an important role in the 2019 protests and we welcome their continued efforts towards ensuring the success of the transition since the revolution. It is crucial that the prominent role of civil society in Sudan's democratic transition continues. With our international partners we continue to maintain public international pressure on the military to return to the democratic transition in order to deliver the freedom, peace and justice called for by the Sudanese people.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 16/11/2021 14:14:46 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1367460

registered interest
date	09/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Ethiopia: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had (a) at the United Nations Security Council and (b) with the African Union and Governments in the region on securing (i) a ceasefire, (ii) full humanitarian access and (iii) investigations into human rights atrocities in Ethiopia.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	72447
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2021 answer text <p>We regularly discuss the conflict in Ethiopia with a wide variety of partners, including at the UN and the African Union (AU). I spoke on 28 October at a UN Security Council (UNSC) open debate, stressing the importance of cooperation between the UN and AU in this conflict. The Foreign Secretary spoke with the AU Horn of Africa Envoy Olusegun Obasanjo on 12 October and offered our full support to his efforts. I spoke with him on 4 November to discuss the situation in Ethiopia and reiterate our support. I also spoke with the AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye on 8 November about the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian access in Ethiopia. During the World Leaders Summit at COP26, I was also able to discuss the situation with leaders of different African States. The Foreign Secretary also spoke to Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen on 5 November, where she made clear there is no military solution and that negotiations are needed to avoid bloodshed and deliver lasting peace.</p><p>On 5 November the UNSC issued a Press Statement, following the introduction of the nationwide State of Emergency by Prime Minister Abiy on 2 November, expressing deep concern about the conflict and its impact on the humanitarian situation and wider region. The UNSC most recently met on 8 November, where the UK called for all parties to stop fighting and start talking, and to implement the recommendations contained in the joint report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 16/11/2021 17:12:48 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1367462

registered interest
date	09/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Mozambique: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the security situation in northern Mozambique; and what Official Development Assistance has been provided to that region in each of the last three years, including the proportion spent on the security sector.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	72448
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2021 answer text <p>We welcome the news that <del class="ministerial">Rwandan,</del> <ins class="ministerial">Mozambican,</ins> Southern African Development Community and<del class="ministerial"> Mozambican</del><ins class="ministerial"> Rwandan</ins> Forces have recovered areas of Cabo Delgado, north-east Mozambique, that were previously under insurgent control. There is still work to be done and we look forward to the Government <ins class="ministerial">of Mozambique </ins>working with international partners to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches affected areas, and reconstruction can take place. We are working with the Government of Mozambique to address the root drivers of conflict and instability, including by providing targeted assistance under the framework of a Defence Memorandum of Understanding. The UK is also working to strengthen international cooperation, and co-chairs with Ireland a high-level international taskforce on Cabo Delgado.</p><p>The UK has provided over £22 million in aid to Cabo Delgado through UN agencies, ensuring access to food, shelter, water, sanitation and basic health.<del class="ministerial"> (Approximately £12 million 2019/20, £8.05 million in 2020/21 and £2.7 million 2021/22).</del> None of this Official Development Assistance has been spent on the security sector.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 16/11/2021 15:07:50 question first ministerially corrected 24/11/2021 16:52:30 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford previous answer version 32419 answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1367465

registered interest
date	09/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Eswatini: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has made to the Government of Eswatini on (a) allegations of police brutality, (b) mass arrests, including of minors, and (c) the arrest of Members of Parliament.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	72449
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2021 answer text <p>The UK remains concerned by the situation in Eswatini, including by reports of the use of excessive force and the arbitrary arrest of protestors in mid-October. We have called for all reports of incidents of police brutality to be investigated. The UK Government is clear that all citizens have the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and that the Government of Eswatini must exercise restraint and respect the human rights of its people. We raised this most recently during Eswatini's Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council. In September I visited Eswatini and met Prime Minister Dlamini and King Mswati III, at his request, to discuss the civil unrest and violent confrontations, I urged him to listen to all parties and address the root causes. I also met with members of Eswatini's Multi-Stakeholder Forum to discuss how civil society can engage with the Government on these issues. The Government's recent commitment to draw up terms of reference, in cooperation with SADC, for a National Forum for Dialogue is welcome. The UK High Commissioner in Eswatini is continuing to engage with the Government to promote peaceful and inclusive dialogue and the early resolution of the charges against three MPs, two of whom remain incarcerated.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 16/11/2021 15:14:00 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1367466

registered interest
date	09/11/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sub-Saharan Africa: Private Military and Security Companies
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the presence of foreign private military companies operating in conflict areas in sub-Saharan Africa.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	72450
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2021 answer text <p>We are concerned by the behaviour of some foreign private military companies operating in conflict zones, particularly those engaged as direct parties to conflicts. While foreign military companies might be engaged in legitimate activities, such as the protection of sensitive infrastructure; UN and media reports have noted that in the Central African Republic, widespread human rights abuses, including the killing and torture of unarmed civilians and widespread looting are being carried out by a foreign private military company. It is vital that all international actors, including private military companies, respect international humanitarian law and comply with relevant arms embargos in conflict zones.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 16/11/2021 17:16:08 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty