Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 29 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 May 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Thursday, 7 May 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Democratic Republic of Congo: War Crimes

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2009, Official Report, column 620W, on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): war crimes, what further reports he has received on allegations that Bosco Ntaganda is playing a leading role in military operations in the DRC; and if he will direct his officials to make further high level representations to the Congolese government on the arrest of Bosco Ntaganda.

Answer: [holding answer 6 May 2009]: It is unclear from reports we have received whether Bosco Ntaganda has taken a role in planning military operations against the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Our embassy in Kinshasa is seeking to establish the facts. We understand that the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in the DRC has ordered his officials not to attend meetings at which Bosco may be present. Our ambassador in Kinshasa raised the question of Bosco's position in meetings with the DRC Foreign Minister and the commander of the UN peacekeeping force on 20 April 2009. He has sought reassurances that Bosco will be handed over to the International Criminal Court.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 492 c359-60W; 272737
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Democratic Republic of Congo: War Crimes
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: War crimes Democratic Republic of the Congo
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk