Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on seeking a resolution to the violence.

The UK calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory. The Foreign Secretary has been clear that there would be a strong response from the international community in response to the escalating conflict. In recent weeks, the UK has coordinated closely with international partners, including those from the G7 and the International Contact Group on the Great Lakes, on that response. On 25 February the Foreign Secretary announced a package of measures which aim to bring about a ceasefire, avoid regional escalation and bring Rwanda back to the negotiating table under the AU African led peace process. The Foreign Secretary and Lord Collins, the Minister for Africa continue to engage with international counterparts to push for an end to the killing and a return to peaceful negotiations.