Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
84 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the prospects of democratic elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo; the role of the UN in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30081/04]
View answer148 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU and UN colleagues can bring about an improvement in the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30690/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 148 together.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo peace process remains largely on track, although recent events, such as the assault and capture of the town of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by rebel forces last June, underlined the fragility of the transition process established under the Sun City peace accords of 2002. There is a need for accelerated progress in implementing the transition if the target of national elections in 2005 is to be met and lasting peace and security are to be achieved in the country and in the wider Great Lakes region.
Recent positive developments at regional level included the initial Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes, held in Dar-Es-Salaam on 19 and 20 November, attended by the leaders of 11 countries in the region, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. Agreement was reached at the summit on a declaration of principles which will be elaborated into a series of protocols constituting an overall regional peace and stability pact. It is hoped these will be adopted at a second summit, to be held in Nairobi in 2005. The Great Lakes conference process will build on and provide a framework for a number of earlier regional peace initiatives, including the tripartite commission which the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda agreed to establish in Kampala on 26 October 2004. This includes the joint border verification mechanism which the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda agreed to establish last June.
The Great Lakes conference was organised under the auspices of the UN and the African Union and fully supported by the EU. The EU's special representative for the Great Lakes has been actively engaged throughout the preparatory process. Ireland and other EU member states have also participated in the conference process through involvement with the Group of Friends of the Great Lakes support group. Ireland has contributed €200,000 towards the costs of holding the conference.
Under the provisions of the Sun City accords signed in 2003, national elections are scheduled to take place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in June 2005, at the end of the two year transition period. There is, however, provision under the accords for these elections to be deferred, if necessary, for a maximum period of up to one year. In line with the overall need for greater progress in implementing the transition process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a number of necessary legislative changes still remain outstanding. These must be finalised soon if the desired goal of national elections in June 2005 is to be achieved. In particular, nationality and electoral laws still wait to be finalised by the transitional national assembly. Consideration has also begun of a draft constitution, due to be submitted to a referendum in early 2005. Decisions are also necessary regarding compilation of an electoral register and whether it is feasible for a national census to be carried out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in advance of any election.
Greater progress will also need to be achieved as regards security sector reform, if the appropriate secure environment is to be created in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the holding of national elections in 2005. In particular, the process of creating integrated national army and police forces needs to be accelerated and a viable start made to disarming, demobilising and rehabilitating the estimated 300,000 combatants who still carry arms. The EU is actively supporting the process of security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the establishment of an integrated police unit in Kinshasa. Further support in training integrated army brigades and police is also being considered. Ireland has contributed €75,000 towards the costs of establishment of the integrated police unit. The EU also provides substantial financial support for the process of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
MONUC, the UN peacekeeping mission, plays a critical role in all aspects of the transition process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including security sector reform and creating a secure environment for the holding of elections. In response to proposals from the UN Secretary General, both the strength and mandate of MONUC have recently been extended. This will enable it to focus more on essential tasks such as supporting the transition process and improving the security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Resolution 1565, adopted by the UN Security Council on 1 October 2004, provides for an increase of 5,900 in MONUC's strength. These additional measures are being used to provide an extra battalion in the troubled Kivus region and also a rapid reaction capability. MONUC will also chair a newly established joint commission to oversee the electoral process. The EU has made clear its willingness to assist the UN in the reinforcement of MONUC's capabilities to enable it to carry out its essential tasks.
The overall costs of holding elections as scheduled in 2005 will be substantial, with some estimates ranging as high as $300 million. Donor support for and confidence in the electoral process will therefore be crucial. The EU is committed to supporting the 2005 electoral process and the European Commission has already pledged to provide some €85 million in assistance. Consideration will be given to a possible contribution by Ireland in support of the electoral process. A decision will also be taken closer to the elections as to whether the EU will participate in an electoral observer mission there, which Ireland would strongly support.
