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Sub Saharan Africa

Congo (Democratic Republic)

 Flag of Congo (Democratic Republic)

Map of Democratic Republic of Congo Last reviewed: 17 March 2008

Country information

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The DRC's relations with its neighbours were very poor between 1994 and 2005, particularly with Rwanda and Uganda. This was due to allegations of Congolese support for Rwandan and Ugandan rebel groups based on Congolese territory and to Rwandan and Ugandan military interventions into the DRC in 1996 and 1998.

There have however been improvements in regional tensions in recent years. In mid-to-late 2002 the DRC signed peace agreements with both Rwanda and Uganda, after which both countries withdrew their troops from the Congo. The US led Tripartite Commission between the Great Lakes countries also aims to resolve regional peace and security issues by fostering dialogue between regional governments. This has led to some normalisation in relations between the DRC and both Uganda and Rwanda, though tensions remain, largely due to the continued presence of rebel groups on DRC territory. The DRC’s relations with its other neighbours, particularly Angola, are generally cordial.

Sanctions

The EU and member states imposed an arms embargo on the DRC (then Zaire) by means of Declaration of 7 April 1993 and adopted Council Regulation (EC) No 1727/2003 on 29 September 2003. The United Nations imposed an arms embargo in July 2003 – Security Council Resolution 1493 (2003), extended by SC Resolution 1552 (2004), 1596 (2005), 1649 (2005) and 1698 (2006). No licences will be issued for the export to the DRC of goods and technology on the Military List which forms Part II of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended. UN sanctions (UNSCRs 918, 997 and 1011) also impose restrictions on the sale or supply of arms and related material to persons in States neighbouring Rwanda, including DRC, when the goods in question are intended for use in Rwanda.

Relations with the UK

Diplomatic Representation

The UK has an Embassy in Kinshasa. DFID have an office in the DRC and run an extensive development programme. The DRC has an Embassy in London. 

Recent Visits

Outward: Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (January 2002), Clare Short, then Secretary of State for International Development (July and February 2002), Adam Ingram, Minister for the Armed Forces (August 2003), Chris Mullin, Minister for Africa (June 2004). Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development (December 2003, April 2004, November 2005 and September 2006), John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister (December 2006).

Inward: Foreign Minister Okitundu (March 2002, January 2002), President Joseph Kabila (February 2004), President of the National Assembly, Olivier Kamitatu (March 2004). President of the Senate Marini (March 2004) Vice President Azarias Ruberwa, November 2004. Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba (March 2005).

Policy

For UK policy statements in parliament see the Hansard website.

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