12. PEACE PROCESS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
OF CONGO
(24349)
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Draft Common Position on support for the implementation of the Lusaka ceasefire agreement and the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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| Legal base: | Article 15 EU; unanimity
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| Department: | Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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| Basis of consideration: | EM of 13 March 2003
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| Previous Committee Report: | None
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| To be discussed in Council: | 27 March 2003 Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council
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| Committee's assessment: | Politically important
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| Committee's decision: | Cleared
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12.1 This draft Common Position replaces and repeals
the existing Common Position, 2002/203/CFSP of 11 March 2002.
Its objective is to support the peace process in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC), including implementation of the Lusaka
Ceasefire Agreement and of various peace agreements, both internal
and international, signed in 2002, since the last Common Position
was adopted. It also supports the relevant United Nations Security
Council Resolutions within the framework of the peace process
under way in the DRC.
12.2 More specifically the draft Common Position states
that the EU will support:
- action taken by the UN and the African Union in support of
the Pretoria Agreement, signed on 30 July 2002. This provided
for the Rwanda Defence Forces to withdraw, which they did in October
2002. It also provided for the dismantling of the ex-FAR/Interahamwe
(Hutu) militias;
- the Luanda Agreement between the DRC and Uganda, signed on
6 September 2002. This provided for the withdrawal of Ugandan
forces and the establishment of a Pacification Commission for
Ituri (North East Congo). Some Ugandan forces remain in the Ituri
region;
- the Global and Inclusive Accord on a Transitional Government
signed in Pretoria on 17 December 2002. It provides for a transitional
national government (TNG), a new army, and elections. Technical
talks aimed at resolving differences between the parties on aspects
of the TNG were concluded on 6 March 2003;
- the work of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) and the Joint
Military Commission (JMC) to ensure observance of the Lusaka ceasefire;
- action by MONUC, the Third Party Verification Mission (TPVM)
and the JMC for the rapid implementation of the process of Disarmament,
Demobilisation, Repatriation, Reintegration and Resettlement (DDRRR)
of combatants or armed groups;
- DDRRR through support for the Multi-Country Demobilisation
and Reintegration Programme (MDRP) for the Great Lakes Region;
- the reconstruction and development of the country, as soon
as the transitional institutions are in place, with projects that
are designed in particular to promote aid to the population, the
strengthening of state structures, the economic reconstruction
of the country, and DDRRR projects;
- action agreed on the UN Panel of Experts on the illegal Exploitation
of Resources in the DRC in UN Security Council Resolution 1457
(February 2003);
- the Burundi peace process based on the Arusha Agreement; and
- an international conference on peace, security, democracy
and development in the Great Lakes region once there has been
further progress in the Lusaka and Arusha peace processes, and
once the countries concerned so decide.
12.3 The Minister for Europe, Mr Denis MacShane, comments
on developments that have taken place since March 2002, including:
- the withdrawal from DRC territory of Angolan, Zimbabwean and
Rwandan military forces;
- the collaboration over the past 12 months by the Government
of the DRC with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda;
- progress on the Inter-Congolese Dialogue;
- EU agreement to provide development support for the transitional
government, once its institutions are in place;
- the current instability in the east and north-east of the
country; and the proliferation of armed groups there; and
- the submission to the UN Security Council on 18 October 2002
of the final report of the UN Expert Panel on the illegal Exploitation
of Natural Resources of the DRC.
12.4 The Minister comments that future co-operation will
take account of the efforts the DRC has made to implement the
various agreements and Security Council resolutions.
The Government's view
12.5 The Minister says that the Government fully shares
the objectives set out in the Common Position:
"[It] sends a signal to the various parties and the rest
of the international community that the EU remains committed to
a viable and therefore sustainable peace settlement in the DRC.
We will continue to work closely with our EU partners on internal
developments, conflict prevention and resolution, and combating
illegal resource exploitation".
Conclusion
12.6 The EU confirms its support for the peace process
and implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement and adds
its support for the many positive developments which have taken
place since. This draft Common Position demonstrates the significant
progress that has been made over the past year to bring peace
and stability to the Congo, after years of some of the bloodiest
conflicts in the world. Though not widely reported by the media,
it is clear that considerable efforts have been made. Rather than
drawing attention to the area only when conflicts flare up, we
report on this proposal so as to promote awareness of the constructive
work of the international community and the support of the EU
for these efforts.
12.7 We now clear the document.
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