Lords Committee to quiz Government on approach to Sub-Saharan Africa

20th May 2020 | Source: House of Lords Press Office

THE HOUSE OF LORDS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE COMMITTEE WILL THIS WEEK HAVE ITS FINAL ORAL EVIDENCE SESSION AS PART OF ITS INQUIRY INTO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.

The session will explore the Government’s role in supporting the region amidst COVID-19, as well as covering the future strategic role of the UK in Sub-Saharan Africa, including in the areas of climate change, investment and peacekeeping.

The evidence session will be conducted on zoom and can be followed at www.parliamentlive.tv [1] from 10AM ON WEDNESDAY 20 MAY. Giving evidence
will be:

     * JAMES DUDDRIDGE MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development
(Minister for Africa)
     * HARRIET MATHEWS OBE, Director for Africa, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
     * DEBBIE PALMER, Director for West and Southern Africa, Department for International Development

TOPICS THE SESSION WILL COVER INCLUDE:

* The effects of COVID-19 on Sub-Saharan Africa, and how the UK is cooperating with international partners to support the region.

* What is behind the UK’s “strategic approach” to Africa?

* The importance of the African Union in the Government’s approach to the region.

* How will the Government follow up on January’s UK-Africa Investment Summit?

* How important will overseas development assistance be to the UK’s strategic approach to Africa, and which areas of funding will be most important?

* What are the most effective ways to address climate change the region, how will this be prioritised as part of international climate negotiations?

* To what extent has the nature of conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa changed, and what does this means for the future of peacekeeping?

* What is the Government doing to support human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa?

* Does the Government see the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union as an opportunity to diverge from the EU’s approach to Sub-Saharan Africa?

* How important will cooperation with the EU and European partners be in future, and which non-African countries does the Government believe it is most important to cooperate with?

* Does the Government acknowledge that the current UK visa regime harms the UK’s relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa?
* How will the UK’s strategic approach to Africa be considered as part of the Government’s Integrated Review?