Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to support a peaceful resolution following the elections in Sierra Leone on 24 June 2023; and whether he has had recent discussions with (a) his counterpart in Sierra Leone, (b) the Economic Community of West African States, (c) the African Union and (d) his counterparts in other countries on (i) security and (ii) other issues following those elections.

The FCDO regularly discusses good governance, rule of law and the importance of free, fair and peaceful elections with the Sierra Leonean Government, opposition and key stakeholders. The Foreign Secretary has highlighted these messages, including with the President and opposition leader, during and since his visit in March 2023. Throughout, the UK has been clear that violence has no place in a democracy and has supported a peaceful conclusion to the electoral process.

Officials in the British High Commission Freetown and in London are working with international partners, including the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and country partners, to follow up on the elections.