Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 24 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 February 2005. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 February 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of (a) the scale and (b) the nature of activity by the Conseil national pour la défense de la democratie/Forces pour la défense de la democratie in (i) the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (ii) Tanzania and (iii) Burundi since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of (a) the scale and (b) the nature of activity by the Conseil national pour la de«fense de la democratie/Forces pour la de«fense de la democratie in (i) the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (ii) Tanzania and (iii) Burundi since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [211446] Mr. Alexander: The Conseil National pour la Defense de la Democratie/Forces pour la Defense de la Democratie (CNDD-FDD) is a former rebel group that operated in Burundi, from Democratic Republic of Congo territory and was alleged to have infiltrated Burundian refugee camps in Tanzania. Although the CNDD-FDD was not party to the Burundian peace agreement of August 2000 (the Arusha Accord), it subsequently signed ceasefire agreements with the Transitional Government of Burundi in December 2002 and November 2003. Its leaders have since joined the Transitional Government and are working towards elections by 30 April 2005. Its forces are being integrated into the new national army.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 211446; 430 c935W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Armed forces Politics and government Peace negotiations Democratic Republic of the Congo Tanzania Migrant camps Burundi
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk