Michael Ring
Question:38 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Congo; and the steps, if any, his Department has taken to assist with bringing peace to the region. [12006/99]
Written Answers. - Conflict in the Congo.
Seán Ryan
Question:59 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, being taken to try to secure an end to the civil war in the Congo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12041/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 59 together.
The Government remains extremely concerned by the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo which together with displacement, hunger and human rights violations is causing severe hardship for the civilian population. The involvement of neighbouring states, some of which are providing military support to the protagonists, has grave regional implications.
Despite the continued lack of agreement between the conflicting parties on a cease-fire, there have been a number of encouraging developments in recent weeks. On April 7, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1234 which calls for the withdrawal of uninvited forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also in early April, the UN Secretary General appointed former Senegalese Foreign Minister, Moustapha Niasse, as his special envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo peace process. On 18 April, Colonel Gadaffi of Libya brokered the signing of an agreement in Sirte between the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Chad and Eritrea. This agreement provides for a cease-fire, the withdrawal of foreign troops, the deployment of peace-keepers, and an all-inclusive national dialogue. These elements are common to those already being proposed by the EU and other members of the international community. While Rwanda has been sceptical of the Sirte Agreement, it has been welcomed by the UN Security Council as a means of securing an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Gadaffi initiative will now have to be merged with the ongoing regional peace efforts of the Southern African development community and of President Chiluba of Zambia. The proposed national debate between the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, rebels and civil society which is scheduled to take place in Nairobi in mid-May also has the potential to assist in finding a political solution to the crisis.
The Government, our EU partners and other members of the international community remain committed to bringing about an immediate ceasefire as a precursor to a negotiated settlement. This should include agreed mechanisms for the withdrawal of outside military interests and for monitoring the peace to the satisfaction of all parties. While the recent Sirte Agreement contains many of these elements, it will be important to persuade the non-signatories, especially Rwanda, that any future settlement will address their security and ethnic concerns. The request by the United Nations Secretary-General for the Security Council to prepare for a possible international presence to support a peaceful settlement is also helping to build confidence.
During my recent visit to Africa, I had the opportunity to discuss the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo with government representatives from Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, all of whom have a direct interest in developments. During these meetings, I reiterated that Ireland and our EU partners will continue to support the regional and international peace efforts in relation to the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries of the Great Lakes Region.
Ireland will continue to support the work of the EU Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Aldo Ajello, who is actively pursuing the Unions objectives through his direct contacts with the UN, the Organisation of African Unity, regional leaders and other key figures. The EU continues to support the holding, at an appropriate time, of an international conference on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes Region as a means of ensuring lasting stability.