The UK Government condemns all incidents of intercommunal violence in Nigeria. The underlying drivers of intercommunal violence are complex, the perpetrators do not come from any one ethnic group, and the devastating effects are felt by communities of different faiths and ethnicities. It is inaccurate to attribute sole responsibility to one ethnic group, the Fulani, and terms like militia risk fuelling tensions between communities. We continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to protect all those at risk of violence, bring perpetrators to justice and address the root causes of the violence.

During my visit to Nigeria in April, I [Minister Duddridge] discussed insecurity with the Foreign Minister and the President's Chief of Staff, and raised the importance of protecting all communities. I [Minister Duddridge] met the Foreign Minister again in July, along with Nigeria's Minister of State Education, where we discussed the impact of insecurity on education. In addition, our High Commissioner and her team regularly visit states affected by violence to engage with state governments, civil society, faith and community leaders and affected communities.

The Foreign Secretary raised our concerns on the humanitarian situation and the need for a political dialogue to bring a lasting peace to Tigray directly with Prime Minister Abiy on 5 August. I also raised these issues with the Ethiopian Minister of Peace, Muferihat Kamil Ahmed, on 15 July. The UK will consider the full range of policy tools at our disposal to protect human rights and deter violations of international humanitarian law. It is longstanding practice not to speculate on future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations.

We are closely monitoring the situation in South Africa. The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to the whole of South Africa based on current COVID-19 risks. We have been regularly updating FCDO Travel Advice during the recent unrest and have publicised consular contact details on social media. Our consular staff are contactable 24/7 for British Nationals directly affected by the protests and needing help.

The acts of terrorist insurgents have sadly affected peoples of all faiths in Cabo Delgado. Mozambique is an important partner for the UK, and a valued member of the Commonwealth. 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.

Actions by violent extremist groups in the Sahel and West Africa seek to undermine the right to freedom of religion and have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities. The UK Government condemns acts of terrorism in the Sahel, and is committed to supporting freedom of religion or belief for all. In July this year I discussed the deteriorating security situation in the Tillabéri region of Niger with the Nigerien Minister for Foreign Affairs and President Bazoum. The UK supports long-term stability in Niger and the wider region through the provision of three Chinook helicopters to France's counter-terrorism Operation Barkhane, and through our programmatic support to Niger's High Authority for the Consolidation of the Peace in Torodi, as well as the UN's Regional Stabilisation Facility in the Diffa region. The UK also provides significant humanitarian assistance to Niger, providing life-saving aid to over 718,000 Nigeriens between 2019 and 2021.

The UK is concerned by the outbreak of violence and looting in South Africa in recent days, which has sadly resulted in injuries, loss of life, and substantial damage to buildings and businesses. As a long-standing friend of South Africa, our High Commission in South Africa raises issues of concern with the South African authorities where necessary, in particular where UK nationals are involved. We encourage British Nationals to check our Travel Advice pages, which we are regularly updating. The UK welcomes the South African government's efforts to restore stability and President Ramaphosa's emphasis on the importance of the rule of law. We will continue to work with South Africa as it deals with this violence and its efforts to address current social and economic challenges.

We have deployed an expert from the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative UK Team of Experts. Recommendations from an initial scoping mission by them will outline options for supporting the Government of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and other key stakeholders to safely collect and preserve evidence, and bring the perpetrators of sexual violence to justice. The UK fully supports the joint investigation involving the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.

The Government remains deeply concerned about the crisis in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon. We assess that the root causes of the conflict are varied and complex. These include constitutional issues and the different legal and education systems in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, and the need for sustained political will on all sides to resolve the crisis.

These were discussed at the Grand National Dialogue in 2019 and we continue to urge progress on the issues identified, including further inclusive dialogue to address the root causes of the crisis. In a visit to Cameroon in March, I met President Biya, Prime Minister Ngute and Foreign Minister Mbella Mbella, where I set out the UK's commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution. I also met the President of the South-West Regional Assembly, civil society, political opposition and religious leaders, to hear the experiences of the affected communities.

We condemn all violence against civilians in Nigeria, irrespective of their religion and ethnicity. In the North East, terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, continue to cause immense suffering to both Muslim and Christian communities. These groups seek to undermine the right to freedom of religion or belief by indiscriminately attacking those of all faiths who do not subscribe to their extremist views. We are providing a comprehensive package of humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to support communities affected by the conflict.

We are concerned by sharpening social divisions within Nigeria, including between north and south. We encourage reconciliation and constructive dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. I visited Nigeria in April and discussed increasing insecurity across the country with the President's Chief of Staff, the Foreign Minister and community leaders. We continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to protect all those at risk of violence, to bring perpetrators to justice and to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

We condemn all violence against civilians in Nigeria, irrespective of their religion and ethnicity. In the North East, terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, continue to cause immense suffering to both Muslim and Christian communities. These groups seek to undermine the right to freedom of religion or belief by indiscriminately attacking those of all faiths who do not subscribe to their extremist views. We are providing a comprehensive package of humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to support communities affected by the conflict.

We are concerned by sharpening social divisions within Nigeria, including between north and south. We encourage reconciliation and constructive dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. I visited Nigeria in April and discussed increasing insecurity across the country with the President's Chief of Staff, the Foreign Minister and community leaders. We continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to protect all those at risk of violence, to bring perpetrators to justice and to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

We are concerned by increasing insecurity across Nigeria and the impact this is having on local communities. I visited Nigeria in April and discussed increasing insecurity across the country with the President's Chief of Staff, the Foreign Minister and community leaders.

We condemn the recent attacks on the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which threaten the conduct of credible elections and undermine efforts to strengthen Nigeria's democracy. On 19 May, the British High Commissioner publicly expressed our concern about the attacks and called for security forces to protect all election facilities. In recent weeks, our High Commission staff in Abuja have met Independent National Electoral Commission officials to discuss preparations for elections, the security of election facilities and potential support from the international community. We continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the crisis in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon, including the disturbing reports of human rights abuses and violations by both armed separatists and the security forces. In a visit to Cameroon in March, I met President Biya, Prime Minister Ngute and Foreign Minister Mbella Mbella, where I set out the UK's commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution. We work in conjunction with international partners, such as France and the United States, to raise the crisis in multilateral fora. At the UN Security Council briefing on UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) on 7 June, the UK reiterated the UN Secretary General's call for an end to violence and for all actors to refrain from attacks against civilians.

We continue to call on the Government of Cameroon to investigate all reports of human rights violations and abuses. As the UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights set out at the UN Human Rights Council on 26 February, the violence must end and urgent, impartial investigations must hold the perpetrators to account. We urge the Government of Cameroon to engage fully with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights for all. We continue to call for inclusive dialogue that addresses the root causes of the crisis, and for all parties to remain engaged in Swiss-led efforts to facilitate talks.

The UK Government condemns all incidents of violence in Nigeria. In the North East, attacks by terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, have had a devastating impact on local communities. We are committed to helping Nigeria tackle the threat and are providing funding and operational support to the Multi-National Joint Taskforce, which coordinates the military response to the conflict. We are also providing humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to support communities affected by the conflict. In other parts of Nigeria, incidents of intercommunal violence and criminality, including kidnaps, have also had a devastating impact on local communities.

In the South East, the UK Government is concerned by the increasing levels of violence. We encourage reconciliation between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. All actors must do all they can to stop rising insecurity and violence. We are working with our partners in Nigeria to promote intercommunal and interfaith dialogue, and continue to call for solutions that address the underlying causes of violence. During my visit to Nigeria in April, I met with the President's Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, and Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, to discuss insecurity. I raised the importance of protecting all communities across Nigeria.

The UK's statement at the UN Security Council on 7 June condemned the recent violence on the Chad / Central African Republic (CAR) border, and expressed our condolences for the lives lost. As our Ambassador to Chad stated on 5 June, the UK supports the stability of the region, and takes seriously infringements of the territorial integrity of any country. Tensions must be de-escalated through diplomatic means. Ministers have not held discussions recently with the Governments of Chad or CAR regarding the border clashes.

The UK is deeply concerned by the growing reports of gender-based violence in the Tigray region and refugee camps. Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict remains a priority for this Government and we are committed to raising this issue in a variety of multilateral fora. Under our G7 Presidency, we have raised Tigray in a joint statement (2 April) and the Foreign and Development Ministers Communique (2 May), which condemned "rape and sexual exploitation, and other forms of gender-based violence," in Tigray and called for accountability.

British Embassy staff conducted a specific protection mission in Shire in Tigray on 4-7 April, including interviewing staff and volunteers supporting survivors of sexual violence. The mission included an assessment of the current gender-based violence response, specific emergency services provided in camps and the gaps that need to be filled. As the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State responsible for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon outlined during the debate on the Queen's Speech, on 11 May, we are currently identifying personnel from the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Team of Experts who can deploy to the region to strengthen justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. The UK is also supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN agencies, specialised NGOs and 9 civil society partners to provide adequate essential services to survivors. We currently contribute to the UNICEF, International Red Crescent and national Ethiopian Red Cross response supporting a total of 545 survivors (542 females and 3 males) with case management services. 9,792 women, girls and boys at risk have already accessed gender-based violence risk mitigation, prevention or response interventions. Our partners also support 643 children who have experienced violence, and have been reached by health, social work or justice/law enforcement services and 16,488 women and girls have received material support. UK contribution is also supporting refugee survivors through UNHCR.

The UK is deeply concerned by reports of intercommunal violence in the Red Sea state between the Beni Amer and Nuba. It is an important reminder of the challenges Sudan faces as it transitions to democracy and seeks to end decades of conflict. Following the removal of President Bashir in 2019 the UK is supporting Sudan through this transition process, including efforts to deliver much needed economic stability and aid to those most in need.

We welcome the efforts made by the Sudanese Government to ensure that Sudan is an inclusive peaceful country, embracing the diversity of its people, and urge the Government to: deliver their commitment to assume full responsibility for the Protection of Civilians; implement swiftly their National Plan for Civilian Protection; and implement the Juba Peace Agreement, particularly provisions relating to security arrangements.

The UK Government is concerned about the volatile security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) following elections in December 2020. Since then, incursions by armed groups and clashes with state forces has led to significant population displacement and civilian casualties. Human rights violations by state forces, and abuses by armed groups, have risen significantly.

The UK has repeatedly called on all parties in CAR to cease violence, including through UN Security Council statements. At the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council on 22 March, the UK's International Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French, urged all sides to cease all attacks on civilians, humanitarian actors and peacekeeping personnel immediately, to respect human rights and to engage in political dialogue in good faith. We stand ready to agree appropriate measures to enforce this, including UN sanctions in line with Article 35 of the Peace Agreement. The UK also contributes approximately £40 million annually to the UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA) which continues to provide security across the country. In March, the UK joined other Security Council members in approving a plan to reinforce MINUSCA with increased numbers of troops and police.

The UK is appalled by reports of atrocities including widespread rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated by different armed groups in Tigray. This is unacceptable. Both the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea have committed to hold perpetrators of human rights violations to account, but we have yet to see any indication of how they propose to do this. The UK will support the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that their joint investigations into atrocities in Tigray with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission are independent, transparent and impartial and that those responsible for these human rights violations and abuses are held to account.

We are working to promote justice for survivors of sexual violence, to provide support to survivors and children born of conflict related sexual violence and to prevent sexual violence from occurring. Preparations are underway to deploy expertise from the UK Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Team of Experts to the region. British Embassy staff conducted a mission to assess the protection of civilians and humanitarian access in Shire, Tigray, on 4-7 April. It included the assessment of the current Gender-Based Violence response, specific emergency services provided in camps and the gaps that need to be filled. They interviewed staff and volunteers supporting survivors of sexual violence to identify essential activities required to address the immediate needs of the survivors as well as the accountability needs to ensure well-informed and effective assistance.