§ 17. Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on measures being taken by his Department to ensure greater peace and security in Africa. [8801]
§ 20. Linda GilroyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is carrying out to ensure greater peace and security in Africa. [8804]
§ Mr. BradshawViolent conflict is one of the main obstacles to social, economic and political development in Africa today. It is also a potential threat to global security.
The FCO, in partnership with the MOD and DFID, has been at the forefront of the UK's successful efforts, with the United Nations, to bring peace and security to Sierra Leone. We are also working hard to ensure the success of current international and African efforts to bring an end to the conflicts in the Great Lakes region.
The UK's approach to conflict prevention in Africa is now co-ordinated in the interdepartmental Africa conflict prevention pool. The aim of this joint pool is to ensure a coherent and effective use of resources to bring greater peace and security to Africa.