The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced periodic conflict over many decades, with an increase in insecurity and violence in eastern DRC in recent months, ahead of elections due to take place in December 2023. Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have remained at a high level for several months. Ireland has expressed concern at this escalation in regional tension. The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC is driven by a number of factors, including competing attempts by armed groups to control the rich mineral resources of the region. Ireland has stressed the importance of regional efforts to address this situation.
We worked closely with our EU partners on the development of a new EU strategy for the wider Great Lakes region that was adopted earlier this year, with a particular focus on the eastern provinces of the DRC. We fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in the region and condemn any support to local or foreign armed groups.
Ireland has also emphasised the importance of the engagement of national and regional organisations in promoting peace and stability. We welcome the efforts of the East African Community Heads of State Conclave, including the Nairobi peace process, as well as the contribution by Angola and Kenya to advancing a peaceful resolution. Ireland will continue to highlight the importance of the ongoing implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region, and encourage implementation of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Roadmap. We welcome the renewed calls in the region for a ceasefire, including this month by the leaders of the Southern African Development Community.
Almost 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in DRC. There are an estimated 6.9 million people internally displaced and over a million refugees from the DRC are in neighbouring countries. Given the instability in the region, the DRC itself hosts more than half a million refugees.
Ireland is directly providing over €8 million this year in response to the situation in DRC. Over €4.6 million has been allocated to long-term development and chronic humanitarian crisis programmes under Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership. Five partners (Christian Aid Ireland, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam Ireland, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland) are operating in DRC. In addition, some €3.8 million of Irish funding to UNICEF to address child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa is earmarked for DRC.
This year, the EU will provide almost €92 million in humanitarian funding to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in the DRC.
