Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 9 February 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 February 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 23 February 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Africa: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the joint Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo initiative against FDLR forces.

Answer: [holding answer 12 February 2009]: Long-term peace and stability in the Great Lakes region of Africa depends on good relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The presence of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) militia in eastern DRC is one of the fundamental causes of the conflict there. We support the decision of the two governments to co-operate in efforts to disband the group, and urge that they involve UN peace keepers fully in any military planning, and that any action undertaken minimises the risks to the civilian population.

Secondary information