The UK Government has a strong interest in reducing conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. The establishment in 2001 of a government-wide joint conflict prevention initiative provides the UK with an opportunity to maximise the impact of the extensive conflict prevention work already being undertaken by the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. The mechanism is an important step in developing a sustained commitment to addressing African conflicts based on a shared strategy and common objectives. The conflict prevention initiative also enables the UK to react more rapidly to emerging crises and to opportunities for peace building.