The report of the United Nations panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo – DRC – makes a number of extremely serious allegations against countries involved in the war in the DRC. Rwanda and Uganda are singled out for particular criticism in relation to the mass-scale looting and illegal exploitation of resources such as gold, diamonds, coltan and timber that has taken place in the DRC since the outbreak of war in 1998.
Uganda and Rwanda have strongly rejected these allegations and in particular the assertion that their involvement in the DRC is on grounds other than genuine security concerns. Both countries have pledged to continue to co-operate with the Security Council's efforts to restore peace to the DRC and have reaffirmed their support for the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. They have also stated their willingness to make available to the UN any of their nationals named in the report for investigation.
The United Nations Security Council has scheduled a meeting for 3 May to allow the Governments named in the report to respond to the accusations against them. As a member of the Security Council and as a major development partner of Uganda, Ireland will be listening very carefully to the statements of all the parties, in particular Uganda but also Rwanda. The Government has already expressed its concern about the allegations to the Government of Uganda at a senior level.
The Government is examining the report and will make its position known at the meeting of the Security Council on 3 May. The report contains disturbing evidence, although the nature and extent of this evidence varies greatly. Where allegations have been made, we expect these to be fully investigated by the relevant authorities in the countries concerned. Although no investigation has taken place into whether development assistance received by Uganda and Rwanda is helping their war efforts, the Government is satisfied that all Irish aid to these countries has been used for its intended purpose.
When considering the panel of experts report, Ireland will be mindful of the wider peace process in the DRC and of the importance of using this report as a means of strengthening the peace process rather than undermining it. We will bear in mind the positive steps towards peace which have been taken in recent months, with all parties to the conflict now engaged in a process of disengagement from front lines which is being observed by United Nations monitors. The next crucial step will be for the parties to agree a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the DRC.
