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Written Question
Burundi: Rwanda
Wednesday 14th February 2024

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of relations between Rwanda and Burundi and the closure of the border between the two countries; and what steps they are taking to help prevent further escalation of tension in the region.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We strongly condemn violence perpetrated by all armed groups and are alarmed by the recent incursions into Burundi by the RED-Tabara armed group. We urge restraint on all sides and for all parties to work urgently towards de-escalation. The FCDO raised our concerns over the border closure with the Burundian Ambassador on 17 January. We encourage the Government of Burundi to take a measured response and underline the need for dialogue.


Written Question
Burundi: Rwanda
Thursday 8th February 2024

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the border closure and the deteriorating relations between Rwanda and Burundi; and what steps they are taking to help prevent tension in the region from further escalating.

Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We strongly condemn violence perpetrated by all armed groups and are alarmed by the recent incursions into Burundi by the RED-Tabara armed group. We urge restraint on all sides and for all parties to work urgently towards de-escalation. The FCDO raised our concerns over the border closure with the Burundian Ambassador on 17 January. We encourage the Government of Burundi to take a measured response and underline the need for dialogue.


Written Question
Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda
Tuesday 25th July 2023

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to join the US and the United Nations in urging Rwanda to end its support to the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK continues to monitor the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) closely and its grave humanitarian consequences. We regularly raise the conflict in eastern DRC with the Governments of DRC, Rwanda, and the region, where we urge all parties to deliver on their commitments, agreed through the Nairobi and Luanda processes. This includes the cessation of hostilities, respect for sovereignty and agreed withdrawal by armed groups including M23. The UK firmly believes the regional Nairobi and Luanda diplomatic peace processes provide the best means by which to achieve a lasting peace in eastern DRC and offer them our full support. We have taken over chair of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes where we are in regular contact with likeminded partners and are working together to support progress on the ground. We will continue to work with members of the international community to bring an end to the violence.


Written Question
British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty
Monday 12th June 2023

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 3 November 2022 (HCWS354), what progress they have made, and what steps they still plan to take, to resolve outstanding issues in relation to the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago, including those relating to the return of former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

The UK and Mauritius have held four rounds of constructive negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)/Chagos Archipelago. The Foreign Secretary's Written Ministerial Statement (UIN HCWS645) of 17 March 2023 stated that the UK and Mauritius had welcomed the progress to date and agreed to continue negotiations. Negotiations are being held in private, so we cannot speculate on possible outcomes nor pre-empt their conclusions.

We recognise this is an important issue for many Chagossians. While the negotiations are between the UK and Mauritius, we are engaging with the Chagossian communities as negotiations progress.


Written Question
Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda: Floods
Wednesday 31st May 2023

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent flooding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda; and what humanitarian and financial support they are providing in response.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

We are saddened by the loss of life in Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda which was caused by the devastating floods and landslides. The NGO consortium START, which the UK part funds, has committed £300k to the Rwanda flood response which will be implemented by Trócaire. START have also given £400k to the DRC flood response, to provide those who have lost their homes and livelihoods with cash to buy food and other basics for survival. In DRC the Red Cross, funded by the UK, are supporting with the recovery of bodies, and reuniting unaccompanied children with their families. The Minister of State for Development and Africa has sent WhatsApp messages to DRC Foreign Minister Lutundula and Rwandan Foreign Minister offering UK support and condolences.


Written Question
Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda
Thursday 13th April 2023

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda; and what assessment they have made of the impact of Rwanda’s backing of the M23 rebels on the UK’s agreements with Rwanda.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

The UK, alongside international partners, continues to raise the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with the Government of Rwanda and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the highest levels. We condemn the continuing advance of M23, a UN-sanctioned armed group. On 13 March, the Foreign Secretary and the Rwandan Foreign Minister discussed the importance of meeting commitments made under the Nairobi and Luanda political processes. It is vital that all parties work together to secure real de-escalation on the ground and an enduring political solution.


Written Question
Burundi: Freedom of Expression
Wednesday 12th April 2023

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support (1) freedom of speech, and (2) freedom of the press, in Burundi.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

The UK Government welcomes the Government of Burundi's stated commitment to improving the human rights situation and the recent steps taken which demonstrate progress in this regard. We note reports of human rights violations and abuses being committed against the political opposition and critical voices, which we regularly discuss at a senior level with the Government of Burundi. We continue to call on the Government of Burundi to ensure that Burundi develops along a positive trajectory and look forward to Burundi's Universal Periodic Review this year. We urge the Government of Burundi to fully implement the recommendations made in the last review.


Written Question
Burundi: Polio
Wednesday 12th April 2023

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help prevent the polio virus outbreak in Burundi from spreading.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

We note reports of a recent outbreak of polio in Burundi and urge the Government of Burundi to continue taking preventative measures to limit further risks to the population. FCDO officials have engaged with international partners to discuss how we can limit the outbreak of polio worldwide.


Written Question
Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda
Tuesday 24th January 2023

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the President of the Republic of Rwanda’s annual end-of-year address, broadcast on 31 December 2022, what assessment they have made of (1) relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and (2) the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what steps they intend to take in response to that speech.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

We continue to raise ongoing tensions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the Governments of Rwanda and the DRC at the highest levels. We welcome agreement on a ceasefire as agreed at the Luanda Summit in Angola on 23 November 2022. In the week of 9 January, the Minister for Africa spoke to both the Rwandan and the DRC Foreign Ministers. He urged both parties to meet the commitments made under Nairobi and Luanda political processes. It is vital that all parties work together to secure real de-escalation on the ground and an enduring political solution. The UK has committed funding support to the East African Community Nairobi political process towards this end.


Written Question
Burundi: Cholera
Tuesday 24th January 2023

Asked by: Lord Bishop of Durham (Bishops - Bishops)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent outbreak of cholera in Burundi.

Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park

We note reports of a recent outbreak of cholera in Burundi and urge the Government of Burundi to continue taking preventative measures to limit further risks to the population. FCDO officials have engaged with international partners to discuss how we can limit the outbreak of cholera worldwide.