James Duddridge – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Tackling Violent Extremist Organisations in Africa

The parliamentary question asked by Sir James Duddridge, the Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East, in the House of Commons on 12 December 2022.

Sir James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con)

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle violent extremist organisations in Africa.

The Minister for Armed Forces (James Heappey)

We are concerned by the growth of Daesh and the continued presence of al-Shabaab and Boko Haram across Africa. We are working closely with our partners across the continent, as well as with our international allies, to ensure that we counter the shared threats of violent extremism and terrorism. Obviously we are supportive of the missions led by the United Nations and the African Union, but we are also increasingly looking at how the UK can support regional solutions for regional problems, and how the UK works with friends such as Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria to support their leadership in the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia.

Sir James Duddridge

The Minister talks about recognised current terrorist organisations, but what assessment has he made of the Wagner Group in Africa, and would he recommend its proscription as a terrorist organisation?

James Heappey

Wagner’s presence in Africa is obviously deeply unhelpful, and it is cynical and opportunistic. It has no interest in the countries in which it operates; it is simply there to extract the maximum value for Russia, and potentially to cause as much chaos as it can for those of us who are trying to help on the continent. However, the Government do not routinely comment on whether an organisation is being considered for proscription.