Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will support the application by Somaliland to join the Commonwealth.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states. It is for the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth Secretariat to take forward expressions of interest and to assess whether an aspirant member meets the eligibility criteria for membership. The UK, alongside others in the international community, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for Somalia and Somaliland to decide through a consultative process and dialogue.
Mar. 11 2024
Source Page: UK supports millions of people globally in bid to end gender-based violenceFound: FGM (2019-2027) – Phase II of FCDO’s flagship ending FGM programme in Kenya, Senegal Ethiopia and Somaliland
Asked by: Tim Loughton (Conservative - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the implications for (a) his policies and (b) the safety of overflying British aircraft of recent Traffic Collision Avoidance System events over air space controlled by Somalia and Somaliland.
Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The safety and security of British airlines and the travelling public are a top priority for my Department. Management of airspace is a sovereign responsibility and it is for airlines to take decisions on routings. DfT provide additional advice to UK airlines operating outside of the UK where we deem it necessary
In relation to Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) events within Somali airspace, a high number of TCAS events may indicate an inadequate Air Traffic Control provision within the area but it also means that the protections are working and aircraft are being kept separated. Should an aircraft’s TCAS be unserviceable, then protection is still provided by aircraft with a serviceable TCAS. It is also of note that this airspace is not routinely or regularly used by UK operators.
Mentions:
1: Lord Polak (Con - Life peer) A very short distance from Yemen’s violent and chaotic coast lies Somaliland. - Speech Link
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) relations between Ethiopia and Somalia, following the signing of the Ethiopia–Somaliland memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 1 January; and (2) the impact of that MoU on regional stability and efforts to combat Al-Shabaab.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following the signing of the MoU, the UK expressed concern about escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa. Alongside international partners, we continue to encourage dialogue between Ethiopia and Somalia. We urge all parties in the region to avoid escalation and any action that threatens stability. Tackling al-Shabaab remains one of the UK's top international counter-terrorism priorities. We continue to work with Somali and international partners to strengthen the response to the terrorist threat posed by al-Shabaab in Somalia and the region.
Written Evidence Feb. 28 2024
Inquiry: The UK Government’s engagement regarding the British Indian Ocean TerritoryFound: Independence as Ghana 1957 Malayan Union Independence as Malaysia 1957 Togoland Ghana today 1957 British Somaliland
Mentions:
1: Michael Ellis (Con - Northampton North) Friend the Defence Secretary considered engaging with the currently unrecognised country of Somaliland - Speech Link
2: Grant Shapps (Con - Welwyn Hatfield) I know that my right hon. and learned Friend is a big fan of Somaliland. - Speech Link
Feb. 19 2024
Source Page: The UK calls for calm dialogue to de-escalate the situation in Somalia: UK statement at the UN Security CouncilFound: President let me first address the Ethiopia-Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding.