Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent representations they have made to the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea regarding the avoidance of conflict and the protection of civilians in border regions.

The Government is deeply concerned by the renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia and the implications across the Horn of Africa. We call on all parties to end hostilities, respect international humanitarian law, allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and return to dialogue under African Union-led mediation.

The UK condemns any instances of conflict-related sexual violence. All parties must protect civilians, including women and girls, and allegations of abuses must be investigated. We are providing £6.9 million of funding for prevention and response of violence against women and girls in conflict-affected areas of Ethiopia.

Ministers and senior officials have engaged with Ethiopia and Eritrea to call for restraint and de-escalation. We are also coordinating closely with the African Union, United Nations and international partners. On 14 October the UK released a statement which called for: "all parties to respect the sovereignty… of all countries in the region". This followed a statement on 24 September condemning attacks by the Tigray Defence Forces.