The UK is gravely concerned at the fragile security situation in Mali, including reports of rising attacks against religious minority groups. We raise our concerns about protection of minority communities and social cohesion directly with the Government of Mali. We also provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance including projects dedicated to protection of civilians across the Sahel: last financial year the UK provided over £177 million of bilateral Official Development Assistance to the region.

More broadly, the UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we deplore the persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups. We regularly highlight FoRB violations through our position at the UN, the G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the continuing violence in Mali and its impact on civilians. At the Human Rights High Level Week in Geneva on 26 February, the Minister for Multilateral and Human Rights met Mali's Minister for Justice and reiterated the importance of respecting human rights.

This year, the UK provided £173 million to support programmes across the Sahel, including for the promotion of conflict prevention and stability, and £37 million to support programmes in Mali, including a project to provide training in International Humanitarian Law to the Malian Directorate of Military Justice.

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including countries where Christians face persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Last July, the UK's Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to champion FoRB on the international stage, including through our position in the United Nations and the Article 18 Alliance.

Specifically on Mali, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer that the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa gave on 22 August 2025 to Question HC68011, provided below for ease of reference:

The UK strongly condemns attacks on religious minorities in Mali. We have consistently called on all actors in Mali to respect human rights and adhere to international human rights law. For example, at the April 2025 Security Council briefing on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, the UK expressed concern at the human rights abuses committed in the Sahel and called on the UN to lead the way in emphasising the importance of international humanitarian law. Through the Magna Carta Fund, the UK has also promoted ancient Malian texts enshrining progressive values such as religious tolerance. This has helped to underline that such values have local roots and undermine the notion that human rights are a Western import.

The UK regularly calls on Mali to respect international law and to uphold their international human rights obligations. For example, during the recent Human Rights High Level Week in Geneva, the Minister for Multilateral and Human Rights met Mali's Minister of Justice and reiterated the importance of respect for human rights, whilst pressing for continued engagement with the UN Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. Justice and respect for human rights are fundamental to achieving long-term security and stability.

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, Maldives, Mauritania, Cuba, Niger, Tajikistan and other countries on the Open Doors' World Watch List where Christians face persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Last July, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to champion FoRB on the international stage, including through our position in the United Nations and the Article 18 Alliance.

The continued terrorist fuel blockade is deeply concerning for Mali, and for the wider region, and we condemn its impact on civilians. The Foreign Secretary wrote to Foreign Minister Diop on 6 November, and the Minister for International Development and Africa spoke to him on 10 November, encouraging him to cooperate closely with all West African partners to address this shared challenge.

The UK works with Malian institutions and society to address fragility and support regional stability. Last year, we invested over £35 million in Mali through our regional overseas development assistance programmes. This year, we plan to spend £170 million in the Sahel region, to address the drivers of conflict and provide humanitarian support.

On 30 October, we advised British nationals to leave Mali urgently by commercial means. No British nationals have requested support during this period, but our consular assistance remains available around the clock, and we continue to update Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Travel Advice as necessary.

The continued terrorist fuel blockade is deeply concerning for Mali, and for the wider region, and we condemn its impact on civilians. The Foreign Secretary wrote to Foreign Minister Diop on 6 November, and the Minister for International Development and Africa spoke to him on 10 November, encouraging him to cooperate closely with all West African partners to address this shared challenge.

The UK works with Malian institutions and society to address fragility and support regional stability. Last year, we invested over £35 million in Mali through our regional overseas development assistance programmes. This year, we plan to spend £170 million in the Sahel region, to address the drivers of conflict and provide humanitarian support.

On 30 October, we advised British nationals to leave Mali urgently by commercial means. No British nationals have requested support during this period, but our consular assistance remains available around the clock, and we continue to update Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Travel Advice as necessary.

The continued terrorist fuel blockade is deeply concerning for Mali, and for the wider region, and we condemn its impact on civilians. The Foreign Secretary wrote to Foreign Minister Diop on 6 November, and the Minister for International Development and Africa spoke to him on 10 November, encouraging him to cooperate closely with all West African partners to address this shared challenge.

The UK works with Malian institutions and society to address fragility and support regional stability. Last year, we invested over £35 million in Mali through our regional overseas development assistance programmes. This year, we plan to spend £170 million in the Sahel region, to address the drivers of conflict and provide humanitarian support.

On 30 October, we advised British nationals to leave Mali urgently by commercial means. No British nationals have requested support during this period, but our consular assistance remains available around the clock, and we continue to update Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Travel Advice as necessary.

The UK strongly condemns attacks on religious minorities in Mali. We have consistently called on all actors in Mali to respect human rights and adhere to international human rights law. For example, at the April 2025 Security Council briefing on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, the UK expressed concern at the human rights abuses committed in the Sahel and called on the UN to lead the way in emphasising the importance of international humanitarian law. Through the Magna Carta Fund, the UK has also promoted ancient Malian texts enshrining progressive values such as religious tolerance. This has helped to underline that such values have local roots and undermine the notion that human rights are a Western import.

The UK remains committed to addressing sexual violence against women and girls in Mali, including through our bilateral programming. In financial year 2024/25, the UK allocated £800,000 to the Women in Law and Development in Africa for survivor support and economic empowerment initiatives, £300,000 to the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, to strengthen protection mechanisms. These programmes provide trauma support, skills training, and leadership development for women.

The UK also co-chairs the Women's Empowerment Dialogue Group in Bamako alongside the International Organisation for Migration and UN Women, working with the Government of Mali and international partners to advance gender equality and tackle sexual violence. These efforts reflect the UK's broader commitment to women's rights in the Sahel.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). He has been clear that the government will continue to play a key humanitarian role. Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.

The UK condemns attempts to restrict democratic space in Mali, including through restrictive legislation on civil society and on political participation. Such measures risk undermining peace and security. We continue to urge the authorities in Mali to deliver on their commitment to a political transition, with free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential elections. We are committed to working with our partners to respond to immediate humanitarian needs and address the underlying causes of conflict and poverty in Mali.

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.