Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 December 2009.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the statement in the final report of the United Nations Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo that commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have telephone contact with United Kingdom telephone numbers; and whether they have evidence of United Kingdom funding or the provision of arms for the LRA.

Answer: We are aware of allegations but we have no evidence that any links exist between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and individuals in the UK. The UK takes its obligations under the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sanctions regime very seriously and will not hesitate to support sanctions against any person or company against whom there is sufficient evidence. That could of course include UK-based companies or individuals. UK has been in touch with the group throughout, and offered as much assistance as possible to it in its enquiries and shared information on the activities of militia groups as requested by the Group of Experts and will continue to do so where possible. We have also provided practical assistance on the ground in eastern DRC to members of the Group of Experts.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 556; 715 c234-5WA
Session: 2009-10
Subjects: Armed conflict Arms trade Finance United Nations Telephones Sanctions Democratic Republic of the Congo Lord's Resistance Army
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk