MOD Needs 'Action Plan' On Africa Stabilisation

The Government is facing criticism over its lack of strategy surrounding intervention in Africa.

The Lords International Relations and Defence Committee concluded more must be done to prevent sexual violence during conflict and to combat terrorism on the continent.

Baroness Joyce Anelay, chair of the committee said the Government’s wider approach to the situation in Africa has been "muddled".

"There needs to be an action plan," she said, calling for more detailed guidance for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) regarding its contribution.

The ongoing integrated review, deemed the largest of its kind since the end of the Cold War, was proposed as an opportunity for the Government to developing a longer-term plan in Africa.

Alongside calls for a more joined-up approach alongside other departments, the committee has also called for greater senior political leadership in preventing sexual violence during conflict.

Members also called for a review on the training taking place with Sub-Saharan partners.

The group endorses the future deployment of 250 troops to Mali, deemed a sign of solidarity with international partners such as France also operating in the Sahel region.

In the same area, groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State group are now growing in force.

British military personnel are present in almost one-third of African countries, but Brexit and COVID-19 were decided to have taken UK attention off its international strategy in the area.

An MOD spokesperson said: "The UK has a broad and comprehensive strategy, working with partners and allies to coordinate activity to ensure we address the long-term drivers of instability and poverty in the region.

"But our Armed Forces presence matters – for example, the deployment of three RAF Chinooks and 100 personnel to the French counter-terrorism operation in Mali has helped achieve real successes in countering the threat from militants linked to groups such as Al-Qaeda and Daesh."