Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Midterm report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, published by the United Nations Security Council on 16 December 2022, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings in relation to (a) direct intervention of the Rwandan Defence Force on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (b) provision of weapons, ammunition and uniforms to M23/ARC, (c) support to several Congolese armed groups by Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo members in Rutshuru territory, (d) cooperation between Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo units and Congolese armed groups in Rutshuru territory, (e) increased hate speech and incitement to violence against Rwandaphone minorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and (f) other findings of this report; and what representations he has made to the government of (i) Rwanda and (ii) the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the publication of that report.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
We welcome the United Nations Group of Experts investigation into the situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its reported findings. We fully support the vital work carried out by the UN Group of Experts and stress the need for its continuation. We have raised the findings of the report with the Governments of DRC and Rwanda. Our current focus is on the need for de-escalation, respect for sovereignty, and dialogue through regional processes. We welcome agreement on a ceasefire as agreed at the Luanda Summit in Angola on 23 November 2022. In the week of 9 January, I spoke to both the Rwandan and the DRC Foreign Ministers. I urged both parties to meet the commitments made under Nairobi and Luanda political processes. It is vital that all parties work together to secure real de-escalation on the ground and an enduring political solution. The UK has committed funding support to the East African Community Nairobi political process towards this end.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many UK based staff from his Department worked in posts in (a) Angola, (b) Benin, (c) Botswana, (d) Burkina Faso, (e) Burundi, (f) Cabo Verde, (g) Cameroon, (h) Central African Republic, (i) Chad, (j) Comoros, (k) the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (l) Congo, (m) Cote d'Ivoire, (n) Djibouti, (o) Equatorial Guinea, (p) Eritrea, (q) Eswatini, (r) Ethiopia, (s) Gabon, (t) Gambia, (u) Ghana, (v) Guinea, (w) Guinea-Bissau, (x) Kenya, (y) Lesotho, and (z) Liberia in each year since 2010.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
Headcount as at 31st March 2014 | Headcount as at 31st March 2015 | Headcount as at 31st March 2016 | Headcount as at 31st March 2017 | Headcount as at 31st March 2018 | Headcount as at 31st March 2019 | Headcount as at 31st March 2020 | Headcount as at 31st March 2021 | Headcount as at 31st March 2022 | |
Angola | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Benin | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Botswana | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Burkina Faso | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Burundi | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Cameroon | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Cape Verde | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Central African Republic | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Chad | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Comoros | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Congo | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 30-39 | 30-39 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 20-29 |
Djibouti | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Equatorial Guinea | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Eritrea | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Eswatini/Swaziland | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Ethiopia | 30-39 | 30-39 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 40-49 | 30-39 |
Gabon | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
The Gambia | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Ghana | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 20-29 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 10-19 | 20-29 | 20-29 |
Guinea | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Guinea-Bissau | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Ivory Coast | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Kenya | 70-79 | 60-69 | 50-59 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70-79 | 70-79 | 60-69 | 50-59 |
Lesotho | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
Liberia | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 | Fewer than 10 |
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 the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, following an escalation in military activity in the past month; and what assessment they have made of the likelihood of a ceasefire.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The escalation in fighting in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is having grave humanitarian consequences, has been raised with both the President of DRC and the Foreign Minister of Rwanda; the Minister for Africa also recently spoke to the Rwandan Foreign Minister. We welcome agreement on a ceasefire as agreed at the Luanda summit in Angola on 23 November. It is vital that all parties implement it to secure a real de-escalation on the ground in Eastern DRC. We urge all sides to do everything they can to ensure armed groups respect the terms of the ceasefire and engage with the regional political processes, in order for an enduring political solution to be found.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and relations between that country and Rwanda; and what steps, if any, they are taking to de-escalate that conflict.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK condemns the escalation in fighting in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Foreign Secretary has raised our concerns with both the President of DRC and the Foreign Minister of Rwanda; The Minister for Africa also recently spoke to the Rwandan Foreign Minister. We welcome agreement on a ceasefire as agreed at the Luanda summit in Angola on 23 November. It is vital that all parties implement it to secure a real de-escalation on the ground in Eastern DRC. We call on all sides to do everything they can to ensure armed groups respect the terms of the ceasefire and engage with the regional political processes, in order that an enduring political solution can be found.
The UK remains committed to supporting efforts to build stability and reduce violence in the country, including through the UN Peacekeeping Mission, MONUSCO, which plays a vital role in protection of civilians and supporting the government to tackle violence and instability. The UK is also a major humanitarian donor to DRC. In November, the pooled SMART fund, supported by the UK, announced £300,000 of additional funding to support people displaced by the recent violence in North Kivu, including with shelter and food security.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the elections of 24 August 2022 in Angola, what steps he is taking to help support the (a) safety and (b) freedoms of (i) opposition activists and (ii) members of civil society in Angola.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
The UK regularly engages with the Government of Angola to promote modern and progressive politics and to encourage all political parties to play a positive role in the democratic development of Angola. The UK works closely with the Government of Angola on a range of issues including promoting media freedom and improving access to education.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the outcome of the 2022 Angolan general election.
Answered by Gillian Keegan
The FCDO works to strengthen institutions and governance, promote and protect human rights, and support democracy globally. The UK has a proud record of global leadership on international development and Overseas Development Assistance is used to strengthen and support Open Societies and Human Rights in many countries including Angola.
The UK will continue to work closely with the Government of Angola to encourage modern and progressive legislation and to ensure that rights and freedoms are enjoyed by the whole of society. This includes promoting media freedom; improving access to education with the Global Partnership for Education; and raising awareness of the humanitarian conditions in Southern Angola.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Angola on protecting the rights of civil society activists in that country.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The UK, along with like-minded partners, works closely with the Government of Angola and civil society organisations to encourage modern and progressive legislation and to ensure that rights and freedoms are enjoyed by the whole of society. This includes recent work in Angola promoting media freedom with female journalists; improving access to education with the Global Partnership for Education; and raising environmental awareness through the Youth for Climate summit.
Asked by: Owen Thompson (Scottish National Party - Midlothian)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she is taking steps to help prevent the risk of violent conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Answered by Vicky Ford
In recent weeks we have raised the unacceptable increase in violence, hate speech and increased movement of armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the Governments of DRC, Uganda and Rwanda, as well as the leadership of the UN Peacekeeping Mission, MONUSCO. The Prime Minister discussed these issues with Rwandan President Kagame during CHOGM. Minister Ford recently spoke with the Rwandan Foreign Minister on 16 June and the DRC Minister for Planning on 24 June to re-iterate the need for all sides to continue to work together to deliver de-escalation on the ground and an end to hate speech. We welcome the meeting of regional Heads of State in Nairobi and the recent agreement reached by President Kagame and President Tshisekedi in Angola. It is vital that all parties now to implement the Roadm ap to secure a real de-escalation on the ground in Eastern DRC. We will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many employees of her Department have been based in each African nation, in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt
Department for International Trade (DIT) had 86 staff based in Africa in 2018, 84 staff in 2019, 102 staff in 2020, 123 staff in 2021 and 122 staff in 2022. The breakdown by each African nation is presented in the table below.
| DIT Overseas Staff | ||||
African Country | 31 March 2018 | 31 March 2019 | 31 March 2020 | 31 March 2021 | 31 March 2022 |
Algeria | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Angola | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Cameroon | 0 | 0 | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Cote d'Ivoire | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Egypt | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Ethiopia | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 6 | 6 |
Ghana | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 6 | 7 |
Guinea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 or less | 0 |
Kenya | 5 or less | 5 or less | 7 | 13 | 11 |
Libya | 0 | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Mauritania | 0 | 0 | 5 or less | 5 or less | 0 |
Mauritius | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Morocco | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 9 |
Mozambique | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Nigeria | 16 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 |
Rwanda | 0 | 0 | 5 or less | 5 or less | 0 |
Senegal | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
South Africa | 19 | 22 | 27 | 32 | 31 |
Sudan | 0 | 0 | 5 or less | 0 | 5 or less |
Tanzania | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Tunisia | 6 | 8 | 7 | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Uganda | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Zambia | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Zimbabwe | 0 | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less | 5 or less |
Grand total | 86 | 84 | 102 | 123 | 122 |
These figures are as of 31 March each year and include both UK based overseas staff (Civil Servants) and country based overseas staff who work on Department for International Trade objectives but are not Civil Servants.
These figures do not include UK Export Finance staff, Trade Remedies Authority Staff, those on Loan from other government departments who remain on their home departments payroll, contractors, military staff, people on secondment from other organisations, those who are on loan or secondment out of DIT, or on unpaid special leave or career break.
Asked by: Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) recent assessment she has made of human rights in Angola, (b) steps she is taking to support organisations advocating for accountability for abuses in that country and (c) representations she has made to the government of Angola in relation to accountability in relation to the deaths in Cafunfo in Lunda Norte province in January 2021.
Answered by Vicky Ford
The Government of Angola is working to improve its human rights record. On 20 April 2020, the Government approved a National Human Rights Strategy which is part of the Universal Periodic Review response and recommendations from the last two sessions of 2014 and 2020 of the UN Human Rights Council. The country's most significant, recent advances on Human Rights include the approval of a religious freedom law (Jan 2019), ratification of the UN Conventions Against Torture (UNCAT) and Racial Discrimination (CERD) and of the Optional Protocol on the Abolition of the Death Penalty (all deposited in Oct 2019). In October 2020, the Government approved a new Penal Code, which came into effect February 2021. The new Penal Code prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, granting to homosexual individuals the same liberties as any other Angolan citizen.
The British Ambassador joined like-minded partners in seeking clarification over the incident in Cafunfo in Lunda Sul province last year. Following an investigation by the Angolan authorities, shortfalls were identified in the crowd control strategies of the Angolan police force. Remedial training was provided by the authorities to avoid a repetition and ensure appropriate and proportionate action will be taken in future.