The UK consistently makes clear that groups such as the Russian proxy Wagner Group, with its proven track record of human rights abuses, exacerbate instability in fragile contexts. Whilst Private Military Companies can provide valuable security assurances, Russian Proxies have a destabilising influence in Mali where they focus on military action only and have never had a role, or any interest, in supporting meaningful peace negotiations. Long-term solutions to foster a sustainable and peaceful Mali require meaningful, inclusive dialogue. The UK supports this by coordinating with likeminded states and international organisations to address the drivers of instability. We draw on a range of available levers, including through its humanitarian, development and conflict resolution programmes.

The UK is closely monitoring rising instability in Mali. There has been an increase in human rights abuses and violations, including on religious minority groups. The violence is sadly widespread but does not appear to be religiously motivated. Following the recent withdrawal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), it is essential that the authorities in Mali deliver on their commitment to a political transition, with free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential elections. The UK is committed to working with our partners to support initiatives to protect human rights in Mali.

The FCDO is monitoring the situation in northern Mali closely, including instances of identity-based violence and other potential abuses against Tuareg communities. The UK has been robust at the UN Security Council in emphasising the need to end impunity and that Wagner Group, whose record of human rights abuses and violations is clear, will not deliver the long-term peace or security Mali needs. To address this issue, the UK is urging parties to the conflict to reinvigorate inclusive dialogue, and Lord Ahmad discussed this with Algerian Foreign Minister Attaf on this during the Algerian Strategic Dialogue in November. The UK is also working to support initiatives, including through the UN, aimed at protecting human rights across Mali and ensuring perpetrators can be held to account, regardless of who they are.

The UK notes with concern the worsening security situation in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. We assess that the two largest terrorist groups operating in the Sahel - Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) - will likely seek to exploit opportunities including the crisis in Niger, rising conflict in northern Mali and deteriorating security in Burkina Faso to increase their operational activities, whilst also progressing their regional expansion plans. The terrorist threat in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso will likely increase as a result of ongoing instability, as will the risk of atrocities by jihadist armed groups. The UK is monitoring the security situation in the Sahel closely and continues to provide vital humanitarian aid to support those affected by conflict.

Following the expulsion of Guillaume Ngefa, Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali's (MINUSMA) Human Rights Division, Lord Ahmad, Minister of State responsible for the UN and Human Rights, urged the Malian authorities to cooperate, making clear that human rights are fundamental to long-term stability and accountable governance. We are in close touch with MINUSMA's leadership on the investigation and reporting of human rights allegations, including how the mission will continue to carry out its mandated human rights tasks following the expulsion of M. Ngefa. In January this year the UN Secretary-General issued a report on MINUSMA that sets out four parameters for MINUSMA to effectively deliver on its mandate. One of these is the ability to implement the entirety of the mandate including human rights provisions. At the UN Security Council in January the UK called for concrete progress against the parameters, including greater access for the mission to investigate human rights allegations.

Instability in Mali is rising. The Malian partnership with Wagner Group is counterproductive to long-term stability. We are tracking the surge in human rights abuses and violations since Wagner Group deployment in December 2021. UK Ministers have called for transparent and independent investigations and reiterated the importance of compliance with International Humanitarian Law during counterterrorism operations. Instability is also impacting on the humanitarian situation. A third of the population in Mali need humanitarian assistance, including 1.8 million people in food crisis or emergency. On 14 November, the Minister for Armed Forces informed Parliament that the UK will withdraw from the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) earlier than the previously planned date of December 2023. The UK remains committed to supporting regional security and the people of Mali including through our humanitarian, development, and stabilisation programmes.

The UK remains troubled about rising instability in Mali and the wider Sahel and the impact of this on the humanitarian situation. A third of the population in Mali need humanitarian assistance, including 1.8 million people in food crisis or emergency. The UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) has a key role to play in creating a secure environment for the safe, civilian-led delivery of humanitarian assistance and, as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, the UK will continue to support the mission in fulfilling its objectives. The UK remains committed to supporting those most in need, last year we spent around £300 million in the Sahel, including in Mali. The UK recently announced new support for 2022 which provides vital food, water and sanitation assistance for people in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, focused on areas where conflict, climate change and extreme hunger are causing the most suffering.

The United Nations currently estimates that the number of people at risk of food shortages across the Sahel region of West Africa in 2012 is 18 million. Of these, 3.5 million are in Mali.

The security situation in Mali remains of particular concern, and over 350,000 men, women and children have been directly affected by the conflict in the northern regions of the country. Over 235,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries, and over 155,000 people have been internally displaced following months of armed conflict. The deterioration in security conditions has severely limited the humanitarian response, by reducing access to those acutely affected by this crisis in the north of the country.

The UK Government is supporting efforts led by the Economic Community Of West African States and the African Union to bring about a resolution to the crisis in Mali. We will continue to work closely with our international partners, including the United Nations and the European Union, to help return the country to full democracy, including the holding of elections.

Mali is not one of the priority countries for UK bilateral aid, following a fundamental review of all such programmes based on need and where the UK can make the most positive difference. Others with stronger links to this part of the world are better placed to provide long term bilateral development assistance to Mali, but the UK does have a significant stake through our contributions to the European Union and United Nations.

I have had no recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the flow of arms to Mali.