The Africa APPG tells the National Security Council: Don't Abandon Africa

Despite imminent cutbacks to the Ministry of Defence, Britain must make Africa a strategic priority and maintain a strong military element in an integrated British Africa policy says the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group’s submission to the Strategic Defence and Security Review.  The submission, sent to the Prime Minister, Chair of the new National Security Council, argues that conflict prevention funding must be maintained and that there must be better cooperation between the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development and between Britain and our international allies.

The report, entitled ‘Security and Africa’ looked at security threats emanating from Africa – including Somalia, terrorism and international drug trafficking – and highlighted regions of instability that may require an international, though not necessarily military, response – including Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. The Group concluded that conflict and instability remain formidable barriers to development and the UK’s involvement in Africa must involve all three international departments.

The Africa APPG reached five broad conclusions (pages 7-8 and 29):

1) Africa demands a comprehensive approach involving the Foreign and Commonwealth, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development and there must be better cooperation and collaboration between the three departments.
2) Funding for the Conflict Prevention Pool must be maintained and be predictable and not fluctuate from year to year.
3) Defence Attaches play a vital role and must be maintains in order to advice on defence and security matters.
4) The UK should continue to provide military training for African military personnel both in the UK and in Africa.
5) The UK’s response to security threats emanating from Africa needs to be coordinated with our allies in NATO and the EU.

The submission has also been sent to the Foreign Secretary, the Defence Secretary, the International Development Secretary and the National Security Adviser, Sir Peter Ricketts.

Hugh Bayley, Chair of the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group, comments:

“The Africa All Party Parliamentary Group recognises that Afghanistan is stretching Britain’s military capacity but we urge the National Security Council not to abandon Africa. UK policy has improved the lives and livelihoods of millions of Africans in recent years.

‘Conflict and insecurity are formidable barriers to development. They undermine societies and the capacity of leaders to govern. Conflict has terrible consequences for civilians, especially women and children, and regional conflicts can affect the wider world as we see with the Horn of Africa.

‘The UK needs coherent and integrated policies on Africa which link in aid and development with business, trade and security. We urge the National Security Council to provide the necessary leadership and to make Africa one of its strategic priorities.”

To read the report please click here .