§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many troops are now deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; and what further steps they consider should be taken by the United Nations Security Council to secure the peace of the region. [HL5296]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanAccording to the latest available reports the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has 6,948 troops deployed in the provinces of North and South Kivu, Maniema province, and in the Ituri district of Orientale province.
No information is available on the numbers of Congolese troops deployed in eastern DRC; nor is there any reliable information on the numbers of troops belonging to the former Forces Armées Rwandaises/Interahamwe, the Force pour la Défense de la Démocratic, or the Forces Nationales de Libération who are also present in eastern DRC.
Security Council Resolution 1493 (2003) is a robust and comprehensive resolution, giving full Chapter VII powers to UN troops in the DRC for the first time. It should contribute greatly to peace and stability in the region. The UN Secretary-General's new Special Representative is in place to drive the peace process forward.