Rising tensions in the Horn of Africa considered by members

Debate

Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, put forward the debate and responded on behalf of the government.  

This is a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.      

Members speaking

Contributing members included:

• Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour), International Advisory Council member for Afrobarometer, a pan-African, independent research network
• Lord Callanan (Conservative), shadow minister for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Lord Purvis of Tweed (Liberal Democrat), Liberal Democrat Lords spokesperson for international development.

Opening the debate, Lord Collins of Highbury said:

'Despite the progress made, the United Nations estimates that around 63 million people will still require humanitarian aid this year.'

Lord Purvis of Tweed said:

'This is an area where, as we heard, there has been the worst famine and the greatest number of displaced people in a generation, and very sensitive geopolitical talks are happening that could lead in certain areas to tribal conflict.'

Baroness Harman (Labour), former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, made her maiden speech in the House of Lords during this debate. 

Catch up

Watch and read the debate  

Watch live on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore background information  

• Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing  
• Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government. 

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