Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 23 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 October 2008. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Thursday, 6 November 2008 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the UK has contributed to the operation of Monuc in the Democratic Republic of Congo in each of the last two years; and what the estimated contribution will be for the next year.

Answer: The UK contributes 7.8 per cent. of the cost of MONUC (UN mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo) through its assessed payments to the UN's peacekeeping budget, and also contributes through the secondment of UK military staff. During financial year 2006-07 the UK contributed £45,034,024 to MONUC, and funded six military secondees at a cost of £620,972. In 2007-08 the UK contributed £39,728,447 to MONUC, and funded six military secondees at a cost of £1,077,271. During the current financial year, we expect to contribute around £45 million through assessed costs, and £850,000 through discretionary spending on five military secondees. MONUC's current mandate expires in December 2008 and, provided it is renewed, the budget for next financial year will be agreed by UN member states at the UN's fifth Committee in June 2009.

Secondary information