Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to (1) the government of Mozambique, (2) the African Union, (3) the Southern African Development Community, and (4) other regional groups, about the humanitarian and security situation in Cabo Delgado province; and what advice they have offered the government of Mozambique with the aim of (a) preventing further loss of life and livelihoods, and (b) preventing further gains by Islamic State and its local affiliates.

The Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in northern Mozambique with President Nyusi on 11 June, urging him to address the underlying causes of the insurgency as well as its effects. The Minister for Africa spoke to Foreign Minister Macamo on 23 July, noting Mozambique's efforts to address the causes of instability through the creation of the Integrated Department for the Development of Northern Mozambique (ADIN), and to encourage a holistic approach to tackling the insurgency. The Minister of State responsible for Human Rights also discussed these issues with President Nyusi on 24 August and offered UK support to tackle the growing humanitarian crisis.

We regularly engage with our international partners on Mozambique, including the US, France, Portugal, South Africa and the UN. The Minister for Africa spoke to the Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa on 16 July. They agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Southern African region, and on central role of the Southern African Development Community in achieving this. To date, the UK has provided £19m of humanitarian and development support to internally displaced people in northeast Mozambique through UN agencies, ensuring displaced people have access to food, shelter and basic healthcare.