DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Early day motion 2316, tabled 7 June 2006 by Rudi Vis (Labour). Signed by 25 members.

That this House acknowledges that while the British Government has shown a commitment to supporting the transitional process in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to relieving the acute humanitarian crisis in that country, there is considerable unease among significant elements of the Congolese political opposition, including Apareco and the UDPS, who have declined to participate in the forthcoming elections at the end of July, due to the high level of external influence over the entire transitional and electoral process, from Rwanda, Uganda, the US and EU states, that do not necessarily coincide with Congolese interests, but in fact serve their own and who therefore believe that the elections will legitimise a de facto foreign occupation of the country and will seriously exacerbate the conflict situation.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.