Written question asked by Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 November 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 November 2022. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 November 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Sahel and West Africa: International Assistance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to coordinate the implementation his policies on (a) security, (b) human rights, democracy, and civilian rule, (c) development and (d) climate change resilience in the Sahel and West Africa with (i) France and (ii) other European partners.

Answer: The UK is committed to working with partners in Europe, the Sahel and West Africa to foster long-term stability, address drivers of conflict, call out human rights abuses and violations, promote democracy and tackle climate change. On 11 November, the Foreign Secretary travelled to Paris to meet France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs where they discussed climate change and Russia's invasion of Ukraine which we know is exacerbating food and fuel prices in the region. The Foreign Secretary's visit reaffirmed the essential partnership between France and the UK, and the importance of cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Secondary information