Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in response to the seizure of power by the military in Guinea-Bissau, and what assessment they have made of the location and safety of the political leaders who have been detained, targeted or disappeared since the coup.

The UK is concerned by recent developments in Guinea-Bissau and is monitoring the situation closely. It is essential that all parties respect constitutional order and democratic principles. We welcome the swift response of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, and support their efforts to bring about a return to constitutional order.

Following his initial detention, former President Embaló has now left Guinea-Bissau. We remain concerned over the safety of other political leaders who are still in detention or seeking refuge abroad, and we support ECOWAS efforts to ensure that the rights of all those individuals are respected.