§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information she has collated in respect of the humanitarian situation in the Sud Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if she will make a statement. [70329]
§ Clare ShortWe are trying to monitor recent developments in Sud Kivu, particularly the renewed fighting in the Hauts Plateaux region, although the current insecurity and problems of access have made it difficult for the international community to obtain a full picture 585W of what is happening. We are aware of the distressing humanitarian situation for the many people who appear to have been displaced by the recent fighting there. Together with the wider international community and the UN we are pressing for the cessation of all fighting in the eastern DRC, the full implementation of the Lusaka peace accords and for the armed groups to allow full humanitarian access to the areas affected.
We are helping to fund a range of humanitarian support in the Kivus through the UN and international NGOs. My officials are presently visiting this region to monitor progress on current projects, and for discussions with local and international NGOs on the scope for further DFID support for peace and reconciliation-related activities in the area.
§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the importance of economic factors in respect of the continuing violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [70330]
§ Clare ShortThe primary factor in the continuing violence in eastern DRC is the absence of a political settlement between the main parties to the conflict and the attempt by forces that supported the genocide in Rwanda to invade the country. The final report of the UN Panel on resource exploitation in the DRC is due in the autumn. We shall study the report carefully and participate fully in the Security Council's deliberations on its recommendations. We are very conscious that the sad history of the Congo has meant that these resources have never been used for the benefit of the people of the Congo. We continue to believe that the surest way of converting resource exploitation into legitimate trade to benefit the Congolese people is to achieve an end to the conflict and restore peace in the region.
§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has made to(a) the Government of Rwanda and (b) the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Democratie—Goma on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [70331]
§ Clare ShortMy Department maintains regular dialogue with all parties to the conflict in the DRC, including the Government of Rwanda and RCD-Goma. We strongly support the full implementation of the Lusaka accords in order to achieve a lasting peace for the DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.