Written question asked by Sally Keeble (Labour) on Monday, 25 January 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 January 2010. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Thursday, 28 January 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Ogaden: Politics and Government

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the political situation in Ogaden.

Answer: The Government remain concerned by the situation in the Ogaden. Conflict continues between the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and Ethiopian Government forces, and access to the region is tightly controlled. We have serious concerns over alleged human rights abuses in the region and over the humanitarian situation.The UK has called on the Ethiopian government to undertake a credible and independent investigation into the alleged abuses, so that they can be addressed where they are found to have taken place, whether committed by the Government or by ONLF forces. We have also highlighted the pressing need for humanitarian agencies, in particular, to have adequate access to the region.

Secondary information