Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to support democratic processes in Somaliland.

The UK is committed to supporting Somaliland's democratisation process, in particular timely elections in Somaliland. This forms an integral part of the ongoing dialogue between the British Office in Hargeisa and the Somaliland government. Earlier this month, our Ambassador to Somalia met President Bihi of Somaliland to underline the need for parliamentary and local council elections to take place on time, ‪on 12 December 2019. The UK also provides technical expertise to the Somaliland election commission, and is working to support improvements to the voter registration system and promote women’s participation.