PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Democratic Republic of Congo (16 December 2014)

The situation on the ground for the civilian population in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains difficult and, at times, dangerous. As set out in the FCO’s statement of 27 November https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/the-uk-condemns-the-attacks-on-the-civilian-population-of-beni-in-drc the UK condemns the recent attacks on the civilian population of Beni territory that have left almost 200 dead since mid-October. The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) must intensify their efforts to protect the civilian population and neutralise all illegal armed groups in eastern Congo in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2147.

The political process is key to stabilising eastern DRC in the longer term, and we call on all stakeholders of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for the DRC and region to implement their commitments in full. I recently wrote to Foreign Minister Tshibanda to welcome the DRC’s new government of national cohesion and to reiterate the UK’s support for efforts to bring sustainable peace, security and prosperity to the DRC.