Written question asked by Matthew Offord (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 September 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 September 2023. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Friday, 22 September 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Violence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what reports his Department has received on (a) levels of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and (b) potential war crimes in that area.

Answer: The UK continues to monitor the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its grave humanitarian consequences. We note the findings of the UN Group of Experts investigation into the situation in DRC. We are one of a few partners who have a permanent presence in Goma, despite the security challenges, and are regularly in touch with the Government, the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO and humanitarian partners where we receive first-hand accounts. We are the current chair of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes where we work with likeminded partners to share reporting and support progress on the ground. We lobby the DRC Government to push for the imposition of sanctions, through the UN, against individuals who have committed human rights abuses, and on 19 June, announced new sanctions against perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict, sending a clear signal that the UK will hold accountable those responsible for these crimes.

Secondary information