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<p>As outlined in our answer to HL16250, the British Government is taking a number
of actions to prevent conflict. In Sub-Saharan Africa, we are:</p><ul><li><p>Using
funding from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) which has led, for example,
to the roll out of new peacekeeping-intelligence architecture in the three missions
with the highest number of casualties - <strong>Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) and the Central African Republic</strong>. Our sizeable funding contribution
to the UN is used as leverage to advocate for UN reform and improve the way it operates.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Promoting
peace and security in <strong>Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali</strong> through diplomacy
and targeted support. We support UN and French security efforts through direct contributions
to MINUSMA in Northern Mali and the deployment of three RAF Chinook helicopters to
France’s Counter-Terrorism Operation Barkhane. We work closely with the G5 and other
partners to provide life-saving assistance and protection to people on the frontline
of conflict. The UK is also focusing on developing programmes to tackle the long-term
drivers of instability and poverty.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Urging all parties in
<strong>Benin</strong> to engage in dialogue to overcome their differences and find
a peaceful solution. We share the concerns of the EU, France, the US and the UN about
acts of violence in Benin following the 28 April legislative elections.</p></li><li><p>Regularly
addressing the situation in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of
<strong>Cameroon</strong> with international partners including the UN, EU, Commonwealth
and African Union to encourage and support efforts to resolve the crisis. The UK remains
deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation in
the Anglophone regions and the impact it is having on the lives of ordinary civilians.
We have shared experiences with the Government of Cameroon (GoC) on conflict resolution;
and remain ready to provide further support. We raised our concerns during briefings
at the UN Security Council on 4 and 12 June, and led on a statement with Austria at
the UN Human Rights Council in March, which was supported by 39 countries, calling
on the GoC to establish a credible political dialogue to address root causes of the
conflict.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Providing the <strong>Central African Republic (CAR)</strong>
with significant humanitarian spend (£63m since 2013) and core contributions to key
multilateral organisations on the ground, such as the World Bank and the EU. Support
to UN peacekeeping efforts include assessed contributions (£40.5m per annum to MINUSCA
peacekeeping mission and €2m to the EU Training Mission).</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Pressing
our long-term approach to stability in the <strong>Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),</strong>
including through significant contributions to the United Nations Stabilisation Mission
in the DRC (MONUSCO). We are supporting security reforms, stabilisation and peace
building initiatives through DFID programmes and the CSSF.</p></li><li><p>Providing
training to <strong>Nigeria’s</strong> armed forces combat insurgent groups, support
communities to better respond and manage the effects of violent conflict, and to support
the reintegration of former members of Boko Haram. We are also working closely with
the EU, US and UN to provide technical support to the Nigerian Government to address
the underlying causes of intercommunal violence affecting many parts of Nigeria, including
the recently announced National Livestock Transformation Plan, which aims to mitigate
escalating violence between pastoralists and farmers. We are currently reviewing how
we might further assist the Nigerian Government in their efforts to tackle conflict
in the northeast of the country.</p></li><li><p>Building on the work of the UK-hosted
London Conference on <strong>Somalia</strong> in 2017, which brought together Somalia’s
key partners, including the UN, EU and a number of members of the Commonwealth. This
established a set of agreements that provide the foundation for a more coherent international
approach to Somalia with conflict resolution at its core. We are careful to ensure
that all UK policies and programmes in Somalia maintain a focus on conflict sensitivity,
and regularly undertake conflict analysis to support this. In particular, our work
includes activity under the CSSF to address the drivers of conflict and build capacity
at both local and regional levels.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Supporting community-based
peacebuilding programmes, in concert with the UN and other international partners,
namely the African Union, in areas of instability and conflict in <strong>Sudan</strong>.
The UK has a long standing role in supporting sustainable peace in Sudan. As a member
of the Troika and bilaterally, we have supported progress in the Peace Process seeking
to find a solution to the conflicts in Darfur and the Two Areas. In addition the UK
plays a leading role in the UN Security Council, particularly as the penholder on
the mandate for UNAMID – the African Union hybrid Mission in Darfur.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>The
Minister for Africa met with <strong>Togolese</strong> President Gnassingbé and reiterated
the importance of delivering 2020 Presidential elections on time and a return to inclusive
politics. The UK continues to encourage all parties to avoid violence and respect
the human rights of all Togolese people. The UK supports the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) brokered roadmap, along with the EU, which has seen Togo
recently adopt two-term limits on presidential terms, in line with other ECOWAS states.
The change however does not apply retrospectively and has been rejected by the opposition.</p></li></ul>
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