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Democratic Republic of Congo

: Absolutely, Mr. Hancock. I shall conclude my remarks. What will the UK Government do to discourage near neighbours from becoming involved in skirmishes in the DRC? It is not as if we are without influence in the area, particularly in Uganda and the other Commonwealth nations. I urge the UK Government to do all that they can to encourage greater co-operation between all the partners in the central African lakes region, and to ensure that the shared ambitions and agenda for the area are addressed. Most importantly, what are the UK Government doing to ensure that there will be free and fair elections, and will there be assistance in the post-election period? No election in Africa has gone uncontested by the losing opposition, so we have no right to expect that this one will be any different. Lastly, can we ensure that after the election it will be the Congolese who get their hands on the mineral wealth and the natural resources of their country? That will be very important—a key issue—as the DRC enters the post-election period.