Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions has he had with his French counterpart on assisting those affected by the recent attacks in Mali.

The UK is in regular contact with France about the security situation in Mali and the political uncertainty facing the country, including at the UN, via our expanded diplomatic presence in Mali and through our respective Sahel Envoys. Together with France and other partners we have called for elections and a return to constitutional rule in line with the conditions set out by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and supported ECOWAS in urging the Malian government to reconsider their engagement with Wagner in light of the implications that any deal would have on stability. The UK is committed to building long-term peace and stability in Mali and the wider region, while supporting those most affected by conflict. We are deployed to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and support the French counter-terrorism operation Barkhane. We also have a significant humanitarian programme and provide funding for stabilisation and conflict resolution.