Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Government of Zimbabwe on ensuring the monitoring of the activities of the Zimbabwean Defence Force and their return to barracks.

The UK has had regular contact with the Zimbabwean Government over the last two weeks. Most recently, I met with incoming President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday. Officials have also met Chief of Defence Staff General Chiwenga.

These dramatic political events were clearly triggered by a military intervention. But the most important thing now is that Zimbabweans are able to exercise their constitutional right to elect a civilian government. This can only happen through free and fair elections. A re-establishment of a civilian-led government with a clear separation between the party and the state must be a priority. The UK has made this clear to the Government of Zimbabwe.