Thank you for contacting me about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
I share your concerns about the situation in the DRC, and I know that my ministerial colleagues at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office do too. Indeed, it is for reasons such as those you describe why DRC is one of 31 human rights priority countries for the UK.
The risk of regional war is the highest it has been for many years. This jeopardises recent efforts to pursue peace and prosperity, and exacerbates the already severe humanitarian situation. In fact, since March 2022, over 800,000 people have been displaced and significant human suffering continues. An immediate de-escalation on all sides and a mutual respect for sovereignty is urgently needed, as Ambassador James Kariuki made clear at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on 29 March 2023.
Further to this, the UK, along with Belgium, France and the US, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the continuing advance of the UN-sanctioned M23 illegal armed group and called for its immediate withdrawal and a cessation of hostilities. Rest assured, the UK remains committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the Great Lakes region. Indeed, the UK has now taken over chair of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes where HMG is in regular contact with likeminded partners, including the US and EU, and where we strive to achieve real progress on the ground in DRC.
To this end, the UK is offering our support to ongoing diplomatic efforts, including through the Nairobi process led by President Kenyatta and AU-endorsed engagement by President Lourenco, in pursuit of dialogue and dispute resolution. The UK also fully supports the work of the UN Peacekeeping Mission MONUSCO to reduce violence and bring peace and stability to the country, and continues to be a major funder of the Mission.
Reports of continuing human rights violations and abuses, perpetrated by armed groups and state agents, who frequently act with impunity, also remain deeply troubling. The UK has encouraged the DRC to continue its efforts to improve the human rights situation by taking steps to ensure respect for political and civil liberties, implement security sector reforms and address the drivers that sustain armed groups and the climate of impunity. This is done directly with the DRC Government and via the relevant organs of the UN, especially by way of the UNSC. The UK also engages frequently and at a senior level with neighbouring regional governments about the security situation in the eastern part of the country.
As befits its priority status, I am assured that Ministers, together with officials based at the UN and British Embassy in Kinshasa, will continue to make all necessary representations whilst material progress on human rights remains to be made.
I share your concerns about the prevailing situation in the DRC. With 27 million people in dire need of assistance, the DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world, and continues to witness one of the most complex and long-standing humanitarian crises. That is why the UK remains one
of the largest humanitarian donors in-country, having provided 2.5 million people in the DRC with humanitarian assistance since 2017. This support includes cash transfers, emergency water and sanitation, family tracing, and reunification efforts. In addition, Ministers and officials are playing a leading role in raising the profile of the humanitarian crisis.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.